Polls opened Sunday morning across Northern Lebanon as the second round of long-overdue municipal and local elections got underway, covering towns and villages in both the North and Akkar governorates.

The vote marks a significant step toward restoring local governance after a nearly two-year delay, with current council members having remained in office since 2016, well past their six-year term limit stipulated by the Lebanese constitution. Originally scheduled for 2022, the elections were postponed three times due to political deadlock and financial constraints.

Northern Lebanon is divided into two administrative governorates: North and Akkar. Combined, they are home to 288 municipalities.

The North Governorate includes 154 municipalities: 5 in Tripoli, 31 in Batroun, 12 in Bsharri, 32 in Zgharta, 37 in Koura, and 37 in Minieh–Dennieh. These local councils are represented by a total of 1,761 members. The Akkar Governorate comprises 134 municipalities, with 1,590 council members.

According to electoral rolls, some 645,878 voters are registered across the two governorates.

Under Lebanon’s bloc vote system, used for both municipal and mukhtar (local head) races, voters select as many candidates as there are seats available on each council. Those with the highest vote tallies win. In the event of a tie, the older candidate is declared the winner. If the candidates are of the same age, the outcome is decided by lottery.

Ahead of Sunday's vote, official data revealed that a notable number of races were settled uncontested. A total of 44 municipalities in Akkar won by acclamation, along with 54 mukhtars across 48 towns and villages. In total, 2,687 candidates are competing for municipal council seats, while 723 are running for mukhtar positions. Another 159 candidates are vying for seats on the local mukhtar councils.

In the Bsharri district, seven out of twelve municipalities secured victories uncontested, including the towns of Tourza, Qnat, Bekaa Kafra, Hadath El Jebbeh, Hasroun, Hadchit, and Bazaoun.

In the Zgharta district, a total of 643 candidates are running for municipal seats and 156 others for mukhtar posts. The towns of Iaal, Kfarfou, and Raskifa were elected unopposed.

In Batroun district, the municipalities of Beit Chelala and Rashkida, along with the town of Douma, secured victories by acclamation. Notably, Douma’s Zeinali Ayoub became the first woman ever to head a municipal council in both the Batroun district and the entire North.

In the Koura district, 10 out of 36 municipalities had their local councils elected uncontested, including Bkeftine, Bishmizzine, Bsarma, Btaaboura, Dar Shmizzine, Afsadiq, Batroumine, Kousba, Kfarsaroun, and Rachdebin.

Akkar witnessed strong candidate turnout, with 2,561 candidates running for municipal office and 729 for mukhtar positions. Still, 44 municipalities there saw their local contests resolved without a vote.

Polling will continue throughout the day, with initial results expected late Sunday or early Monday.