Misrata holds first post-Kadhafi election

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Residents of war-torn Misrata went to the polls on Monday (February 20th) to elect a new local council in Libya's first free election in more than 40 years.

Home to about 300,000 people, the city was divided into 10 constituencies with 28 polling stations for the historic election. There were more than 100,000 people registered to vote for the 242 candidates vying for a seat on the 28-member local council.

Holding up his ink-stained finger, rights and legal activist Juma Atiqa said that the turnout reached 70% and "the atmosphere was wonderful". Atiqa said that three of the candidates were women. A fourth was disqualified because she was too young.

"People were happy because this was a new experience for them. I even heard an old man saying to his friend that 'this is the first time ever they gave us any value,' and then held up his blue-inked finger," Atiqa said.

Election day was declared a public holiday in the coastal city, which also occurred just a year after residents rose up against Moamer Kadhafi's rule. Misrata was the scene of one of the bloodiest battles of the Libyan revolution, surviving a months-long siege before revolutionaries ultimately prevailed.

As to how the election was run, Atiqa said that the vote was organised by a committee run by "Mohamed Abu Ruwain, an academic who studied in the US. He supervised the election with a group of legalists and young people."

"The ballot boxes were borrowed from Tunisia, and the election ink was brought from Britain. Campaign posters and platforms were placed for three days and there were participations on the radio for a specific period of time. The high committee also prepared election forms and cards, as well as the curtains behind which the ballots were filled," Atiqa said.

He added that "there was also a committee of observers from civil society organisations from all over Libya and the United Nations. They were present at a hall opposite the ballot boxes throughout the period of poll."

"There were no breaches or use of violence at all during the process," Atiqa said, noting that the tribe had no visible role in influencing the process. "Rather, there was a desire to choose the most efficient and effective candidates. This is a fact without any exaggeration, and it reassures us about the political future of Libya."

Voting took place at the people's congress which issues family registries. Voters were to cast their ballots in the constituency where their family registry was issued.

Results were announced Tuesday at 5:00 PM at the theatre of the Iron and Steel Factory, and were accepted without any objections or challenges.

"Misrata is presenting a transparent example for election in Libya and in a new form without any breaches or objections after it presented an example of resistance, following which it was called Misrata of Resistance," said Ahmed al-Arbad.

Al-Arbad said the election set an example for how components of society respect democracy, allowing others to learn from it and apply it across Libya.

"From here, I see that young people are the ones who lead the democratic and political process in the country," he added. "This is good news showing that the experience has become mature and that young people are strongly and enthusiastically taking responsibility for the future."

"This experience is the starting point, and it will lead us to choose the national council next June," said Layla, a teacher, with her finger showing blue ink. "It will also make us choose the country's president with sound scientific mechanisms and transparent legal measures."

"Libyans have proven that they are capable of dreaming although they haven't seen the ballot boxes for more than 40 years," she said. "This is a good indicator of change in Libya."

This content was commissioned for Magharebia.com.