Interior and Municipalities Minister in the caretaker government Bassam Mawlawi confirmed that "the ministry is prepared to conduct the municipal and optional elections, and will issue the necessary circulars for the start date of nominations." He indicated during a press conference that "municipal elections are supposed to begin in the north on May 7, in Mount Lebanon on May 14, in Beirut and the Bekaa on May 21, and in the south on May 28."
Mawlawi called on the government to "secure the necessary funds and complete the administrative preparations," considering that "the confirmation to conduct the municipal and optional elections is an application of the constitution, and our call to the electoral bodies is a legal obligation that began last November."
He pointed out that "the government promised in the ministerial statement to conduct the municipal and optional elections," stressing "commitment to the legal timeframe no matter how short, and taking all necessary practical steps in compliance with the law."
Mawlawi believed that "citizens should be convinced of conducting the municipal and optional elections, and the media should support us in pushing for their implementation," calling on "employees to participate in making this event a success, promising them that they will receive their dues as they did in the parliamentary elections." He added: "We are determined to hold the municipal and optional elections, and I urge the electoral bodies to start their work; this is a conviction, and the Lebanese need it."
He continued: "The determination and intention to conduct these elections have been available for months, but that is not enough as we need to secure the funding," considering that "the municipal and optional elections have significant benefits for the municipalities and citizens, and their benefits outweigh their costs."
