Casting Their Ballots in Parliamentary Elections, Libyans Express Hope for Improvement (Multimedia)

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26 Jun 2014

Casting Their Ballots in Parliamentary Elections, Libyans Express Hope for Improvement (Multimedia)

Braving high temperatures and uncertain security conditions in some parts of the country, Libyans headed to the polls on Wednesday 25 June 2014 to participate in the latest step of the country’s democratic transition. Voters were called to elect members of the Council of Representatives in the third nationwide election since the 17 February revolution of 2011.

"The Libyans have wanted these elections," explained Tarek Mitri, Special Representative for the Secretary-General in Libya as he was visiting a polling station in Tripoli. "A new parliament will augur a third transitional phase that, hopefully, will not be very long."

The Council of Representatives, which will be composed of 200 elected members and initially be based in Benghazi, is set to succeed the General National Congress as the legislative body of transitional Libya. The Constitution-Drafting Assembly, itself elected in polls in February 2014, is continuing its work on crafting the country's new constitution.

"We hope that these elections will result in an improvement in the situation," admitted Younes Moussa al-Fassi, an engineer, after having cast his ballot in Tajoura. "We're even happy with a halfway improvement on the previous situation. Things don't all happen immediately, it's like climbing a ladder, it's gradual."

Ghalia Sasi, a teacher and the founder of Women for Change organization, echoed the hope that these elections will set a new political path for Libya.

"The presence of a strong state and the legislation by the new parliament will form strong incentives for Libya to exit this crisis," she said as she left a polling station in Tripoli.

The expectations among the electorate for these elections to bring about stability and a tangible improvement in security and in the political dynamics of the country was not lost on senior Libyan officials involved in its organization.

"These elections have great symbolism and meaning," said Imad Al-Sayeh, Chairman of the High National Elections Commission. "They could set the future political course in Libya, and I believe going to the ballot box is the best hope to draw Libya out of its current crisis."


The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is assisting the Libyans in their country's democratic transition.

"These elections are meaningful because, hopefully, they will create new dynamics that will lead the country to the adoption of a constitution and to the formation of a government that is more stable," Mitri, Head of the UN Mission, stated to the media on Election Day.

"Libya needs stability, not just in terms of security but also political. Let us hope this election opens the way for greater political stability."

During his tour around the capital on polling day, Mitri also praised the planning and execution of the elections, saying they were "extremely well organized" and commending the High National Elections Commission for "the good and professional work they are doing."

Almost all 1,626 election centres were open on Wednesday morning, including all the ones in Benghazi. By the end of the day, 630,000 voters had cast their ballots, representing 45 percent of the country's 1.5 million registered voters.

Still, highlighting the need for greater stability in the country, Al-Sayeh announced during an evening press conference on Wednesday that between ten and fifteen seats of the Council of Representatives would be vacant due to voting disruptions in certain cities.

While these vacant seats will not prevent the Council from reaching the quorum needed for convening, Libyan authorities will nonetheless try to address the issue and allow all Libyans the chance to vote for their representatives.

Despite these obstacles, according to Sasi "this is the new Libya and there is hope."

"Perhaps some tragic events happened in the past or the performance of those elected was weak due to their inexperience, but we hope that the coming parliament will be better."

Article by:
Elia Boggia
UNSMIL Public Information and Communication Office