Libyans vote in historic poll
Posted July 7, 2012 10:02 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A new era begins in Libya as the country holds its first free national election in six decades.
Citizens cast their ballots for a 200-member assembly that will run Libya for at least the next six months.
The poll is a key step in the country’s transition to democracy and follows a bloody uprising last year that ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
“I feel that this is a cheerful day for all Libyans. Fifty thousand people have sacrificed their life and many others were injured for a day like this,” voter Tarek Ahmed told Retuters.
Among those casting their ballots was Libya’s prime minister, Abdurrahim El-Keib.
“Fantastic. It is a well deserved feeling for all the Libyans and they are going to surprise the world as they did during the revolution. Inshallah [God willing],” El-Keib said.
But many are worried security problems and tribal rivalries may overshadow the vote.