The third round of Lebanon’s municipal and mukhtar elections in the South has ended and Nabatieh governorates on Sunday.

The third round of Lebanon’s municipal and mukhtar elections in the South and Nabatieh governorates has ended as the polling stations were closed.

Voters stood in queues outside the polling stations, with reporters saying the turnout in the early morning was relatively good.

Elections are taking place in seven districts in the two governorates: Sidon, Zahrani, Nabatiyeh, Hasbayya-Marjeyoun ,Tyre, Jezzine and Bint Jbeil.

Interior Ministry said on Sunday that 852274 eligible voters are to elect 263 municipal councils and 706 mukhtars in governorates of South and Nabatiyeh.

Army troops and Internal Security Forces deployed heavily in the areas to preserve security and ensure that the election process goes smoothly.

Hezbollah and the Amal Movement have formed joint lists for municipal councils in much of the two governorates, dubbed “Development and Loyalty Lists”.

The most prominent battle is expected to take place in Sidon between the Future Movement, allied by al-Jamaa al-Islamiyah, against the Popular Nasserite Organization.

Several municipal councils and mukhtars have been elected by acclamation.

Sunday vote is the third round after similar elections took place in Beirut and Baalbeck-Hermel on May 8 and in Mount Lebanon in May 15.

The last round will be held next week on May 29 in the North.

Interior and Municipalities Minister Nuhad Mashnouk stressed the need "to hold the parliamentary polls on time."

The minister stressed that completing the constitutional quorum would be through the election of a new president.

On the other hand, he said that "agreement on an electoral law is a complicated and difficult operation."

He called on the officials to elect a president first and then to hold the parliamentary polls, "This is my opinion, but parliament should decide this issue."

His remarks came while inspecting Sidon Serail.

Mashnouk hailed the security measures taken in the villages, adding "the turnout is serious and the security situation is under control."

The Interior Ministry issued on Sunday the following statement:

"Voters' turnout has reached in the South caza and Nabatieh 22,37% till 13;00 a.m. and is distributed as follows:

Sidon district: 33%

Sidon district villages: 44%

Jezzine district: 45%

Bint Jbeil district: 28%

Tyre district: 30%

Margeyoun district: 37%

Hasbaya district: 38%

Nabatieh district: 33%."