A late drive for votes from Lebanese politicians on Sunday in the first parliamentary elections for almost a decade appeared to mask what was initially interpreted as voter apathy rearing its head in a country long beset by corruption, political stalemate and economic stagnation.
A mid-afternoon turnout poll of 24 per cent across the country rose dramatically by 6pm local time after Lebanese officials took to social media and even television to appeal for the electorate to vote.
But the latest turnout count of 46.88 per cent of registered voters remains lower than the 54 per cent who cast their ballots in the last election in 2009, suggesting that even though the election has been postponed twice since then, voters are no more eager to participate in the country's democratic process.
Voters and observers at subdued polling stations across Beirut put forward a familiar list of reasons for the lower turnout. Foremost among them: disenfranchisement and a lack of faith in the electoral system to effect positive change.
"The people who told me they don't care are more than the people who said they want to vote", said Tala Turk, a 24-year-old project manager who was monitoring the elections at a polling station in the Beirut suburb of Bir Hassan.
Many of her friends lacked faith that voting could effect change on an entrenched status quo, she said: "They have the power to change things, but they don't believe it”.
Abeer Knio, another 24-year-old, said that the Lebanese had been “brainwashed” into believing change is impossible.
“We hope we will see change”, she said, listing many of the same issues that most Lebanese do when speaking about the country’s problems: failing infrastructure, economic woes and a lack of basic services.
“Look at the trash in the streets,” she said, gesturing to refuse outside the polling station, which now included empty lunch boxes that had been handed out by political parties.
Knio said legacy and tradition had become more important than electing qualified candidates.
"People feel they have to be supportive of our sect and we have to stick to our families' political views", Knio said.
The lower turnout was a problem that not even Lebanon’s most well-oiled political machines appeared to have surmounted.
At one polling station in Bourj Al Barajneh, 210 of 609 voters registered had cast their votes by mid-afternoon.
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Bourj Al Barajneh is part of Beirut’s southern suburbs, the main base of support for Hezbollah, the militia and political party renowned even outside of Lebanon for its organizing abilities.
The station was quiet enough that a half dozen election observers from different parties were able to sit down to share a cordial lunch.
Nadia Shaarawi, the manager of the polling station, laughed when they were asked who was ahead in the polls.
“We are”, said the observer representing Hezbollah.
“They’re better at getting their people to the polls”, an observer with one of the other parties agreed.
But Shaarawi, pointed out that young people had largely stayed away.
“The young people don’t want to vote,” she said. “I know from my nieces and nephews, they are not happy with any politicians”.
For many young Lebanese, leaving the country is search of work is a best-case scenario.
"There are no jobs", said Jalal Abu Khary, a 23-year-old TV and radio student. "I am in my second year at university and I believe that when I graduate I won't have a job".
"Other countries pay their students to study overseas and bring back experience," he said. "I would like to be able to do this".
As the closing of polls neared in predominantly Christian east Beirut, Michel Chakar was resigned to being disappointed.
“We’ve been calling people for the past two months”, said the volunteer from Kollouna Watani, an electoral alliance that has distinguished itself in Lebanon by refusing to identify with any of the country’s sects.
Kollouna Watani had also hoped to capitalize on an entirely new generation of voters, but as the day ended, Mr Chakar said he was hoping the party could pick up “four or five” seats in the 128-member parliament.
“We have to begin somewhere”, Mr Chakar said.
Inside a polling station around the corner, an observer from one of the political parties offered a frank opinion of what had happened.
“They’re tired of all the bull----!” he said.
None of the other six observers in the room disagreed with him. A couple nodded.
SERIE A FIXTURES
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Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm)
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Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
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Verona v Lazio (5pm)
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Bawaal%20
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Company%20Profile
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Key developments in maritime dispute
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Price, base: Dh1.2 million
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.3L / 100km (estimate)
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
