.jpg)
Electoral Process Successful on Many Levels
Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said Sunday that despite overcrowding at polling stations the ministry”s security plan was a success.
Many Lebanese were complaining of long waits of up three hours to cast their ballots.
"The positive aspects of the electoral process are numerous," Baroud said at a press conference.
"Our traffic plan has been successful traffic plan; no one was late reaching polling stations. The security plan was also a success because security forces managed to contain several minor skirmishes and there has been no use of forged identity cards which implies that our measures worked," he said.
Baroud also said the army managed to control a shootout that erupted outside Future News building in Qantari.
He said that turnout dwindled in the afternoon, after voters grew weary of waiting.
"Those who did not vote can cast their ballots now … until 7pm as long as they are at the station before the deadline," he said.
Baroud said registrars will decide on an extension of the voting deadline depending on turnout in each center.
He said results will be announced midnight Monday.