Libya Kicks Off First Democratic Elections

Libyans have started voting to choose a 200-seat legislature in their country’s first democratic elections for more than 50 years.

The historic voting started at 08:00 (06:00 GMT), on Saturday morning, overshadowed by violence and acts of sabotage in the east of the country. 

An election worker was killed after gunmen targeted a helicopter carrying ballots south of the eastern city of Benghazi on Friday, according to the Libyan army. 

The nation’s electoral law allocates 60 seats to the east and 102 to the west, while the remaining 38 seats will go to the rest of the country. 

However, some revolutionaries as well as pro-autonomy leaders in eastern Libya have been demanding a larger share, calling on the people to boycott the elections and threatened to hinder the voting process. 

Last week a group of protesters and militia members stormed the electoral commission building in Benghazi, setting materials on fire. 

A total of 3,700 candidates, including 585 women, are standing in the race to form a temporary assembly tasked with picking a cabinet and a prime minister. 

The National Transitional Council, which has ruled Libya since the ouster of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi last year, must step down once the General National Congress holds its first session. According to Press TV.

Libya has been the scene of sporadic clashes between rival militias since the Gaddafi regime was overthrown following an uprising that started in the coastal city of Benghazi and other eastern cities.