Libya votes in first post-Gaddafi election

7 Jul 2012, 9:55 pm   -   Source: AAP
Fears of militia violence have threatened to mar Libya's first nationwide parliamentary election. (AAP)

Fears of militia violence have threatened to mar Libya's first nationwide parliamentary election. (AAP)

Jubilant Libyans have marked a major step toward democracy after decades of erratic one-man rule.

Jubilant Libyans have marked a major step toward democracy after decades of erratic one-man rule, casting their ballots in the first parliamentary election since last year's overthrow and killing of Muammar Gaddafi.

But the joy has been tempered by boycott calls, the burning of ballots and other violence in the country's restive east.

In the capital Tripoli, residents turned out in droves to cast votes for the 200-seat legislature.

Lines began to form outside polling centres more than an hour before they were scheduled to open. Policemen and soldiers stood guard, searching voters as well as election workers.

Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot in the capital, Prime Minister Abdurrahim el-Keib said: "We are celebrating today and we want the whole world to celebrate with us."

Libya's election is the latest fruit of Arab Spring revolts against authoritarian leaders.

It is likely to be dominated by Islamist parties of all shades.

There are four major contenders, ranging from a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated party and another Islamist coalition on one end of the spectrum to a secular-minded party led by a Western-educated former rebel prime minister on the other.

"This is history in the making," declared 26-year-old medic Farid Fadil as he waited to vote in Tripoli. "We were ruled by a man who saw himself as the state."

Libya's intense regional, tribal and ideological divisions, however, have cast a shadow over the vote.

In the oil-rich east, there is a thriving pro-autonomy movement fueled by widespread resentment at what is perceived as domination by Tripoli.

Some easterners back a boycott of the election and on Saturday protesters torched ballot boxes in 14 out of 19 polling centres in the eastern town of Ajdabiya, according to former rebel commander in the area Ibrahim Fayed.

Nouri al-Abar, the head of the election commission, told a news conference 94 per cent of polling centres nationwide were open but acknowledged that "security conditions" prevented ballots from reaching some polling centres in some cases, and that ballots were destroyed in other cases.

But in Tripoli, voters celebrated. Libyans flashed the "V" for victory sign as they entered polling centres. Motorists honked their horns as they drove past to greet the voters lined outside. Others shouted "Allahu Akbar," or "God is Greater," from their car windows.

"The turnout is extraordinary," said Mohammed Shady, an election monitor. "Everyone is being very cooperative. They want the day to be a success and it will be."

The election lines brought together Libya's women, men, young and elderly.

Some arrived at polling centres waving the nation's red, green and black flag or wrapping it around their shoulders.

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