The calm currently enveloping the Saida - Jezzine electoral district, due to candidates adhering to the election silence, has not diminished the intensity of the battle; rather, it has intensified as the countdown to the decisive day next Sunday continues amid ongoing leaks and predictions of this candidate or that winning based on alliances and expectations. The absence of the "Future" movement casts a shadow over the scene as the final position regarding how to approach the voting day is awaited, amidst various scenarios including supporting a candidate, allowing freedom of choice, or non-participation. Only what was declared by the head of the "Future" bloc, MP Bahia Hariri, has been confirmed: "We have not nominated nor will we support anyone."
In the corridors of Saida and its family salons, concerns among some lists have emerged regarding the "Future" movement potentially taking an uncalculated step by voting with a white paper as a form of political message, which would increase participation and complicate victory for the candidates by raising the electoral threshold due to equal chances. However, informed sources dismissed this through "Nidaa al-Watan," as it requires an electoral machine and capabilities to succeed in this process and oversee its organization, not to mention the risks of limiting the "movement’s" strength to just the number of white papers, especially with the impossibility of reaching the number of votes achieved by "the aunt" in the previous election, which was around 13,000 votes without her candidacy and the need to galvanize electoral support.
In addition to these concerns and calculations, the electoral machines continued their campaigns by leaking rumors about the possibility of supporting the "Blue Movement" or the "Islamic Group" following the withdrawal of its candidate Dr. Bassam Hamoud—either this candidate or that—and specifically between the independent candidate on the list "Our Unity in Saida and Jezzine," Engineer Youssef Al-Naqqash, or the independent candidate from the "Moderation is Our Strength" list, Nabil Al-Zaatari, at the request of President Nabih Berri, or the "Group" forming alliances with the "Lebanese Forces," or with the Shiite duo in exchange for support of their candidate in Beirut, Dr. Imad Al-Hout. However, none of this has been substantiated, as it appears to be part of the tactics within the battle between the lists in its final week, aimed at swaying voters' opinions against them.
With the election silence in place, public statements and political positions have been replaced by raising banners and images of the candidates and by intensifying visits to families to explain their programs and viewpoints, along with repeated discussions about the start of financial assistance being provided in the form of social aid to help cover medical or pharmaceutical expenses, settle debts, ease burdens of subscriptions or water bills, or confront living challenges amid rising prices.
Public opinion in Saida is divided; some believe that this election cycle differs significantly from previous ones in terms of the ease of swaying voters and gaining their support, as the main principle now relies on conviction and persuasion rather than assistance or financial incentives. Others hold out hope for real change following the October 17 uprising, with an increase in awareness, even if no parliamentary breaches occur.
Mohammad Dahsha - Nidaa al-Watan
