Uber offers Lebanese voters a free ride

"The Lebanese Municipal Elections are just days away, leaving us all with an important decision to make," read a statement by the company.

"One decision you shouldn't have to worry about is how you'll get to the polls."

In what would appear to be an incentive for people to come to vote, the company said it would transport voters to the polls, payment free.

"To make it as easy as possible for you to vote, we are launching Uber pop-ups in major cities across Lebanon especially for election day, and offering all Uber users free rides to and from the polls," said the company.

Users need to enter a promo code to take advantage of the election day offer.

Uber has been a hit in Beirut where there is a shortage of public transport. Previously, the capital's denizens had to rely on shared taxis, buses or expensive pre-booked cabs.

However the company has not been without its controversies. They operate off-shore and do not pay taxes in Lebanon, although its drivers pay income tax.    

Taxi drivers across continents say Uber is undercutting their already meagre wages. In March, Cairo taxi drivers blocked a street protesting against the company.  

In Lebanon's last municipal elections there was a turnout of up to 60 percent in some areas.