Jbeil, June 7 2009, 7:00 am. The much anticipated Election Day has arrived. Here and there, supporters wearing their party’s colors are busy setting up stands where they distribute pre-printed ballots, flags or even lunchboxes.

This year it’s different said many. For the first time, the vote is taking place on one day for the whole country rather than over several weeks. Over 50,000 policemen and soldier have deployed all over the territory to ensure security. They seem nervous but do their best to hide it as they watch the electoral festival of Free Patriotic Movement orange and Lebanese Forces red going on all around them. “So far so good, but I don’t know what will happen when the results will be announced” says one of the soldiers posted in one of the Jbeil voting polls.

This time, violations will not be tolerated. The day before, Interior Minister Ziad Baroud issued a stern warning saying anyone involved in fraud risks prison. Over 200 foreign observers from Europe, the USA and Arab countries are here to observe the elections and report any violations. There are also thousands of local observers. This election is different because for the first time, citizens are given the opportunity to take an active part in making sure that their representatives are elected fair and square.