The Acting Qaimaqam of Hermel, Talal Kataya, was arrested on Tuesday by Lebanon’s State Security Service for his suspected role in the disappearance of nearly 500 official election accreditations designated for polling delegates in the Baalbeck-Hermel district.
The arrest was carried out under orders from the judicial authorities in the Beqaa, as investigations continue into irregularities surrounding last weekend’s municipal elections in the Beqaa and Beirut.
Kataya had previously been detained on Saturday, just hours before polls opened, but was released shortly afterward on provisional grounds at the request of Beqaa Public Prosecutor Judge Mounif Barakat, citing the need for his presence to ensure the electoral process proceeded without disruption.
The missing credentials reportedly belonged to delegates aligned with opposition lists competing against Hezbollah-backed candidates, raising concerns over potential electoral interference.
Governor of Baalbeck-Hermel Bashir Khodr formally requested a probe into the incident, prompting State Security to take action and arrest Kataya.
It is worth noting that accreditation cards are essential for delegates to access to polling stations, where they play a key role in monitoring the voting process and ensuring transparency.
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