An-Nahar said: At seven in the morning of this Sunday, May 15th, the polls will be opened to Lebanese voters in all Lebanese regions to elect the 128 members of the new parliament, after fierce electoral campaigns that have marked the last weeks with a worrying nature, given the tremendous exacerbation of political and sectarian divisions that they have reflected. On the one hand, and the depth of the repercussions of the financial, economic and social crises arising from the collapse that afflicted Lebanon three years ago, on the other. If it is difficult to draw objective and impartial pre-emptive assessments of the possible outcomes that a long electoral Sunday may lead to, serious observers monitor with great accuracy the situation that will be in several regions in terms of turnout rates and their intensity, which play a decisive role in deciding the direction and results of the elections. Although surveys and statistics have long gone into the market for many pre-existing scenarios for the supposed results, most serious data reflect expectations of many surprises that may result from this day. It is no secret in this context that the media and political eyes are carefully monitoring the Sunni arena, which will play a major role in drawing the results of the elections in most of the 15 electoral districts, whether those with a Sunni majority or with sectarian mixing, in light of the calls that intensified in the last two days to the year in particular, especially with the calls Which was directed through mosque preachers last Friday. Which will turn the Sunni voter turnout today as the pivotal event that pierces the election, as it will constitute an accurate test of the effects brought about by the withdrawal of the most powerful and fundamental Sunni leadership represented by Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and how the majority of Sunnis will deal with the massive calls to try to fill the void of this leadership under the banner of preventing others from employing this The void to tamper with the representation of the year.
The other prominent factor that characterizes the electoral race today is the violent escalation of the conflict between “Hezbollah” and the sovereign forces in general, especially the “Lebanese Forces”, which form the spearhead of the confrontation with the party in sensitive areas, most notably the northern Bekaa, Zahle, Jbeil, Jezzine, Baabda and Matn, as well as alliances Socialist and forces in the mountain on the basis of this confrontation.
Logistically, since yesterday morning, the process of handing over ballot boxes to polling stations chiefs and clerks assigned to manage the electoral process began, who will go to the polling stations, under the supervision of the district mayor or the governor, and under the supervision and organization of the security forces on alert for the big day. Army units have deployed in all Lebanese regions to maintain security. . Meanwhile, Communications Minister Johnny Al-Qarm confirmed that “telecommunications are secured during the elections, and we will face any malfunction very quickly.” Interior and Municipalities Minister Bassam Mawlawi stressed that “the security situation is under control, and a tight security plan has been developed to ensure the protection of centers and the integrity of the electoral process.”
Mawlawi pointed out that “everyone will testify to the impartiality of the Ministry of Interior throughout the election day until the results are announced,” promising full transparency with citizens and announcing participation rates every two hours.
As for the striking irony, it was represented in the message that President Michel Aoun sent to the Lebanese yesterday evening, calling on them to participate massively in the elections. His responsibility for the prosecution of the corrupt and included himself with the victims citizens. And from what he said: “The moment of accountability has come, and the moment of defining options. Accountability is always at the ballot box,” explaining that “elections are your opportunity, so do not waste it, especially after the facts that have been revealed during these two years, and the lies that have been exposed, and after corruption and theft have become faces and names.”
He stressed that “your responsibility is great today, so that the process of dismantling the complex system of corruption, which has controlled the joints of the country for decades, does not stop… Your responsibility is great to hold the corrupt and thieves accountable!”, indicating that “30 years ago, they made us live a big lie. They made us believe that the lira It’s fine, our money is there, and there’s nothing to worry about. A lie like this is undoubtedly fun and comfortable, but the time had to come and we pay for it, and the longer the period, the more expensive and harsh the price.” He stressed that “a while ago, the lie ended, and it had to end and the harsh truth to be revealed, so that we could face reality and find a way out of it,” noting that “today, there is a major campaign of despair, whose title is that Lebanon is broken and bankrupt: “Leave it, and flee.” No…! I have said it for years, and here I am repeating it: Lebanon is plundered and not broken, nor is it bankrupt… Yes, it is looted and stolen, in solidarity and solidarity, and the money is smuggled abroad… And here they are trying to place the consequences of the results on you, and the responsibility is mine. I am the one who has always warned, for more than 25 years, of financial policies that will mortgage the country, and economic policies that will lead to future crises.”
And he believed that “today, in order for the situation in Lebanon to be straightened, there will be no exchange of accusations and responsibilities. The judiciary must do its job, it must name the corrupt and prosecute them, and some of these have become known,” considering that “it is not up to the President of the Republic to pursue the corrupt and thieves, sue them, and imprison them.” I can point out the way that led us to find out who stole, and I did and said, “The criminal investigation is the way, so start from here.”
Aoun concluded: “Revolt behind the barrier against those who obstructed, and while every step is still capable of protecting the rest of your rights or exposing the thieves, revolt against those who incite and seek sedition and perhaps civil war. The ballot box revolution is the cleanest and most sincere revolution, so do not sell it to anyone. Be free for a few minutes behind.” You win your country and live in it freely and with dignity for the rest of your life.”
For his part, the Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi sent an appeal to the Lebanese people, the candidates for the representative office and the voters. He said: “The Lebanese people should go to elections tomorrow spontaneously and nationally without interference and without financial inducement and security intimidation. Remove the dust of dependence on you, restore your vigor, liberate your decision, and rebuild your state on the basis of the values on which you were founded, and whose guidance your fathers and grandfathers followed.” He considered that “whatever the results of the elections, the form of the future government and the type of reforms, the adoption of an active neutrality system remains the pivotal solution that guarantees Lebanon’s existence and preserves its independence, stability, and historical and national unity.”