Everything you need to know about Lebanon's 2018 elections

On Sunday, the people of Lebanon voted in the country's first parliamentary elections in nine years.

Polls opened across the state and saw thousands cast their votes to determine their 128 representatives in parliament.

From voter turnout to reported violations, here's all you need to know about Lebanon's long-overdue elections:

According to statistics announced in a press conference held by Lebanon's Minister of Interior Nouhad Al Machnouq just hours after ballots closed, the voter turnout for the most recent elections stood at 49.20 percent. 

This percentage is considered low and a significant drop from 2009's 54 percent turnout. 

Many commented on the low election turnout via social media and on Lebanese news outlets, attributing them to the fact that many in the country have lost hope on any meaningful political change.

In Lebanon's 2018 parliamentary elections, 800,000 Lebanese youth were registered as voters and were eligible to vote for the first time ever. 

In a press conference held by the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE), an NGO promoting fair representation and election integrity, it was announced that numerous violations were recorded during the election day.

Those included some candidates violating the electoral silence period, during which they are not allowed to campaign for votes, in addition to political party activists pressuring voters at ballots. 

During the most recent elections, Lebanon's Ministry of Interior received around 7,300 voter complaints.

Clashes broke out among voters in cities including Zahle and Choueifat. 

However, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Interior, they were quickly handled by general security and army personnel who were present at polling stations.

As with previous elections, no special arrangements were made to ensure safe and appropriate entrances are available to people with special needs. 

Even though Lebanon's Civil Defense did make its members available to help some get into polling stations, many considered that a humiliating and unacceptable alternative. 

In a televised address aired just an hour before polls closed at 7 pm, Lebanon's President, Michel Aoun, urged Lebanese people to head to the polls, assuring them that voting time will be extended for those already at polling stations. 

Hours before that, he also took to Twitter expressing his shock at the low turnout and encouraging people to "practice their national right and duty."

Several NGO's overseeing the election process criticized the fact that in some districts, voters were allowed to cast votes even after the 7 pm deadline.

However, during the press conference he held late on Sunday, Lebanon's Minister of Interior Nouhad Al Machnouq said only people who were already present at poll stations were allowed to cast their votes minutes after the deadline. 

He also explained that under Lebanese laws, that doesn't constitute a violation.

Even though an official announcement on winners of the 128 seats in parliament has yet to be made on part of Lebanon's Ministry of Interior, some results were confirmed by political candidates late on Sunday. 

According to the latest results, out of the record-breaking 86 women who ran in this year's elections, seven potentially managed to secure seats in the country's parliament, including two who run independently. 

In Beirut, Joumana Haddad and Paula Yacoubian, two women running as part of a national independent coalition "Koullouna Watani," confirmed they both won parliament seats. 

However, on Monday, unofficial reports stated that Haddad lost her seat after candidate Antoine Pano surpassed her polls. 

Speaking to Annahar, the journalist and activist said all polling machines confirmed she had won on Sunday, adding that there will be a protest held against the sudden vague change of events. 

Even though there are now clear attempts at overturning Haddad's win, this remains the first time any Lebanese civil society member earns a parliamentary seat.

Lebanon's 2018 elections marked the first time Lebanese living abroad were given the opportunity to cast their votes. 

Out of millions who form the widespread Lebanese diaspora, only around 90,000 expats registered to vote. 

And according to several news sources, eight ballot boxes that included their votes were lost and have yet to be found.

Soon after initial election results were announced, followers of several political parties took to the streets in celebration.

Unfortunately, the election day ended on a tragic note after celebratory gunfire left at least one person dead and several others injured. 

No arrests were made and no one who fired celebratory gunshots was held accountable even though the practice is considered illegal in Lebanon.