BEIRUT: Lebanon’s final round of polling will open Sunday for the 849,305 registered voters across the north and Akkar, in a race that has blurred party lines and crossed establishment politics.

Tripoli exemplifies shifting political allegiances, if nothing else, and the country’s second-largest city has three complete lists vying for the 24-member municipal council.

“For Tripoli,” a list that enjoys support from both former prime ministers Saad Hariri and Najib Mikati, several local MPs, ex-Minister Faysal Karami, and Islamist groups, will be competing against “Tripoli Capital,” backed by former MP Misbah al-Ahdab.

The battle in Tripoli crossed traditional party lines as outgoing Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, who is closely allied with Hariri, backs the “Tripoli’s Choice” ticket. Earlier this week, Rifi accused “For Tripoli” of facilitating the spread of Hezbollah’s influence in the town.

Rifi’s supporters paint him as the lone hero facing off against the traditional political powers. The Future Movement has avoided directly confronting Rifi as both rely on the same support base. Instead, they claim to represent all facets of society, including the minority Christian and Alawite constituents. Meanwhile Ahdab seeks to reassert influence in anticipation of future parliamentary elections.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea dismissed any criticism of the Qobeiyat municipal list his party is supporting. The “People of Qobeiyat” is backed by both the LF and the Free Patriotic Movement, as it seeks to dominate the municipal council of Akkar’s largest Christian town.

“Some are shaming the ‘People of Qobeiyat’ list because candidates are affiliated with parties, but such comments are silly,” Geagea said, during a news conference at his residence in Maarab.

The list was announced on May 21, and Geagea claims that the town is being marginalized.

Akkar is one of the poorest regions in Lebanon and suffers from high unemployment and limited state services, an issue successive governments have failed to remedy.

“Some are asking where the decision-making is in Qobeiyat,” Geagea said. “I don’t think the new council, once elected, will come and consult me or [FPM chief Michel] Aoun every time they want to carry out a project.”

Future Bloc MP Hadi Hobeish attacked the LF and FPM, considering them to be waging a sectarian campaign in his hometown. During a news conference, Hobeish directly refuted Geagea’s comments. “People are trying to harm the electoral battle in Qobeiyat by touching on sectarian sentiments,” Hobeish said. “[They] are trying to bring non-Christian parties into the contest so they can say outside factions are interfering.”

Hobeish backs the “Qobeiyat Chooses” list. “The Future Movement has said that it won’t even interfere in the elections in Akkar’s Sunni towns, so how can it interfere in Qobeiyat?” he pondered. “The oldest Christian party in Lebanon, the Kataeb Party, is with us in these polls,” he added, questioning how some people claim to be more Christian than others.

“Qobeiyat Chooses” also enjoys support from MP Mikhael Daher and is headed by current Mayor Abdo Abdo.

Hobeish also denied Geagea’s allegations that Qobeiyat is being marginalized. “Qobeiyat is not an island; it has always been a major town,” he said. “We reject this talk of it being disconnected.”

Hobeish also stressed that Qobeiyat needed a mayor that was constantly present to better serve the people. “I live in Beirut. I wouldn’t be able to run for mayor in the town,” he said. “The town’s people need a mayor who lives here, so that he is available whenever needed.”

Alliances between Lebanon’s main Christian parties have shifted in many areas, blurring the lines between friend and foe.

In Jounieh the FPM and Kataeb ran against the LF, while in southern town of Jezzine, the LF and FPM ran against the Kataeb.

The battle in Qobeiyat is expected to be close and neither side appears confident about the outcome with voter turnout expected to be as low as 10 percent.

In the district of Batroun, fierce battles are expected in the villages of Ebrin and Tannourine. The LF and the FPM back the “Tannourine Unites Us” and are facing off against “Tannourine’s Decision,” supported by Telecoms Minister Boutros Harb and the Kataeb Party. The support of local families’ is split between the lists. In Ebrin the LF-FPM alliance is competing against the Marada Movement and the Kataeb Party. The outcome remains unknown and the Marada Movement is expected to mobilize its assets as the village’s council is the only one in the Batroun district where Marada is contesting.

Local media have claimed that citizens are being offered $5,000 for their vote in Batroun. Yet party insiders refuted such allegations, claiming that they are part of an intentional smear campaign aiming to limit voter turnout.

In the Marada heartland of Zgharta, a consensus list has emerged between the Marada Movement and archrivals the Independence Movement headed by Michel Mouawad, the son of the late President Rene Mouawad.

In the Metn district, Mirna Murr, daughter of MP Michel Murr, was elected to head the area’s union of municipalities. She garnered 30 of the 32 votes.