LIBYA: Campaigning starts in Libya as Libyans prepare to head to the polls to give the country its first elected council in 42 years

Record ID: 346606

  • Title: LIBYA: Campaigning starts in Libya as Libyans prepare to head to the polls to give the country its first elected council in 42 years
  • Date: 20th June 2012
  • Summary: LIBYA, TRIPOLI (JUNE 19, 2012) (REUTERS) INTERIOR OF PRINTING HOUSE MAN ROLLING ELECTION POSTER MACHINE PRINTING MORE OF PRINTING HOUSE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) WAJDE MILAD, PRINTING HOUSE OWNER SAYING: "The election campaign started today. We have started the campaign for the candidates and the political parties and the political blocs, and for the independent candidates as well. Each candidate and party and bloc has brought us a permit from the high commission for elections." VARIOUS OF PRINTING DESIGNER WORKING ON COMPUTER PICTURE OF CANDIDATE NOREE KHALEFA ABDEL SALAM (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) CANDIDATE NOREE KHALEFA ABDEL SALAM SAYING: "Concerning the electoral process, this is a unique experience for Libyans, candidates and voters alike, after 42 years of injustice and tyranny. We hope it will all go smoothly." MAN WORKING ON A BIG POSTER MORE OF PEOPLE WORKING A CAR DRIVING ON THE STREET WITH A BIG ELECTION POSTER WORKER HANGING A POSTER IN THE STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FAWZI ABU SA'A, TRIPOLI RESIDENT SAYING: "Firstly, this is something we aren't accustomed to. Secondly, we didn't really have a say in elections in the past. Orders used to come from on high, and there was no discussion, it was all just a show. But these elections that are about to take place, these are the real measure of freedom, because people can now vote for the one they truly want." VARIOUS OF ELECTION POSTERS IN THE STREET
  • Embargoed: 5th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVADQW6OM6HK97DC5SE147F3TUAA
  • Story Text: Campaigning for Libya's first national election in a generation kicked off on Tuesday (June 19) ahead of July 7 polls to choose an national assembly which will re-draw the autocratic system of rule put in place by ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi.
    Eighty of the assembly's 200 seats will go to political parties and the rest to independent candidates, for whom printing houses rolled out campaign posters.
    "The election campaign started today. We have started the campaign for the candidates and the political parties and the political blocs, and for the independent candidates as well. Each candidate and party and bloc has brought us a permit from the high commission for elections," said Wajde Milad, who owns a printing house.
    The assembly's job will be to oversee the government, draft a new constitution and schedule a new round of elections.
    Libyans began registering for the election in May and around 2.7 million people, or about 80 percent of eligible voters, have put their names down to participate.
    Both candidates and citizens were looking forward to the election.
    "Concerning the elections, It is a very unique experience in Libya, after 42 years of injustice and tyranny Libyan live and it's for both voters and candidate," said candidate Noree Khalefa Abdel Salam.
    "The elections are the proof of freedom, because people can vote for their candidate," added Tripoli resident Fawzi Abu Sa'a.
    The country is currently governed by the National Transitional Council, an unelected body of civic and tribal leaders and Gaddafi opponents which is recognised internationally as the country's legitimate leadership.
    During his 42-year rule, Gaddafi banned direct elections, saying they were bourgeois and anti-democratic.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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