Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari, Laila Basam

BEIRUT, Reuters – The first parliamentary election after the country’s economic collapse saw the voting of the Lebanese on Sunday. Some said that the vote was a way to punish the politicians who they believe are responsible for creating the crisis. However, the prospects of major changes seem slim.

This election is the first in 2018 and will be a test to see if the Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has been heavily armed and allied with Iran, can maintain their majority in parliament amid rising poverty and anger towards the parties at power.

The country’s last vote was in 2011. Since then, it has suffered an economic crisis that the World Bank claims was orchestrated and triggered by the ruling classes. In 2020, Beirut saw a huge explosion.

Analysts believe that public anger can help candidates who are reform-minded win seats. However, there is little to no expectation of a major shift in power due to Lebanon’s sectarian political structure favoring established parties.

Nabil Chaya, aged 57, said that Lebanon deserves better and he voted with his father in Beirut.

It’s not mine right. I have to do it. The people are awakening. Too little too late? Maybe so, but many people think that it is time for change.”

This crisis has been Lebanon’s worst since the civil war of 1975-1990. It has sunk the currency by over 90% and plunged about three quarters of its population into poverty.

Local media reported that some polling stations experienced power outages as a sign of the crisis.

“I voted to make the government better and for everyone to be able find work and be able to eat, drink and eat. Khodr Al-Ashi (62), voted in Beirut. “Things are extremely expensive, there’s no electricity, water,” he said.

Rana Gharib of southern Lebanon was a stronghold for Shi’ite Hezbollah and stated that although she lost her savings in the financial crisis, she continued to vote for the Shi’ite Hezbollah.

Gharib was a young woman in her 30s who was voting in Yater. She credited Hezbollah with driving Israeli troops from south Lebanon in 2000.

Hussein Ismail (40) also stated that he lost his money during the financial meltdown, but that would not prevent him from voting for the Hezbollah-allied Shi’ite Amal Movement. Hezbollah Speaker Nabih Berrie is the Movement’s leader. He said, “Berri built schools, roads and hospitals for us.”

At 7:00 PM (1600 GMT), polls close. Unofficial results will be available overnight.

IRAN’S ORBIT

Hezbollah’s allies, including President Michel Aoun’s Free Patriotic Movement(FPM), a Christian Party, won 71 of the 128 parliament seats in 2018.

These results drew Lebanon closer to Shi’ite Muslim Iran. This marked a significant blow against Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia.

Hezbollah said that they expect few changes in the constitution of the current parliament. However, its enemies – which include the Saudi-aligned Lebanese Forces LF, another Christian group – say they are hoping to win seats at the FPM.

A boycott of Sunni leader Saad Al-Hariri created a vacuum which both Hezbollah allies as well as opponents seek to fill.

Diana Safa (LF voter) said that she expects results to be disputed. She said, “It is already tense today.”

According to a security officer, there were minor disputes but not major incidents.

Four were left with injuries after the LF reported that Hezbollah supporters had attacked their delegates and burned LF posters in Jezzine, south. Officials from Hezbollah said that the group was not present in this area.

Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections(LADE) stated that one of their monitors had been attacked by Hezbollah supporters in Sidon. Officials from Hezbollah denied knowing about the incident.

LADE’s warning about vote-buying before the election also stated that several political parties, including Hezbollah and Hezbollah activists, asked their monitors to abandon some polling places.

A presidential source claimed that a man shouted abuses at Aoun (88) while he cast his vote near Beirut. Al-Jadeed showed footage from MTV showing security officers dragging a man away and claiming he was detained.

Two security personnel stated that the Republican Guard were involved.

A prime minister must be nominated by the next parliament to form a Cabinet. This process can take several months. Remaining on the sidelines would delay reforms necessary to resolve the crisis, and allow for support from donor states and the International Monetary Fund.

Najib Mikati (the outgoing prime minister), who secured a conditional IMF agreement in April that was subject to reforms, said he’d be willing to return as premier once he is certain of quick cabinet formation.