On the 22nd of May 2014 the GNC announced their decision to hold parliamentary elections on the 25th of June 2014. Although this hasty decision was made after the people's call for the GNC to step down (after its term of office came to an end in February 2014), the short period allowed would not be sufficient enough to prepare for the elections, the Libyans said, and thus asked: why the hurry again?
In 2012 hundreds of political parties were quickly formed while the
Libyans were left blasting each other in the background, with rockets
and missiles continue to fall on civilian homes to this day (July 2014). The result was that Libya's first elections of the 7th of July 2012 resulted in a failed GNC, with the media, as usual, hailing the event a "success" despite the complications of the electoral system, and in
spite of the number of violations committed including barring Berber-dominated
district 8 from taking part in party-election.
Such parties and failures may thus be the reason for many Libyans to boycott the
elections of the Council of Representatives leading to a very low turnout - a mere 14% of the Libyan
population voted for the Council of Representatives. Only 630,000 voters turned up for election out of 4.5 million Libyans.
The Council of Representatives, also known as the House of Representatives, or the Libyan Parliament, is a temporary, transitional body to govern the country until a constitution is written. The final constitution of Libya will define the politics of Libya and the procedures for electing the president, after which the permanent parliament will be elected.
The Council of Representatives is made of 200 members representing most of the towns and cities of Libya, except some towns like Berber Jado and Zuwarah, who boycotted the elections due to constitutional marginalisation. One hundred and sixty eight (168) seats were allocated to men, leaving thirty two (32) seats for women.
In total only 188 members were elected on the 25th of July 2014, with 12 seats remaining undecided due to boycott and violence erupting in some polling stations. The handover ceremony, according to Decree 56 of 2014, will take place on Monday the 4th of August 2014 (or tomorrow).
Please click here for more information about the Council of Representatives including a full list of winners.
