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2012 Libyan parliamentary election

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2012 Libyan parliamentary election
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25 June 2014
2014 →
200 seats in the General National Congress
Party Leader Vote % Seats
NFA Mahmoud Jibril 48.14 39
JCP Mohamed Sowan 10.27 17
UFH Abdelrahman Sewehli 4.50 2
NFP Mohammed Magariaf 4.08 3
NCP Ali Tarhouni 4.00 2
Wadi Al-Hayah Party 0.47 2
Parties with one seat — 9.81 15
Independents — — 120
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Abdurrahim El-Keib
Independent		 Ali Zeidan
NPFDW

Elections for a General National Congress (GNC)[1] were held in Libya on 7 July 2012, having been postponed from 19 June.[2][3][4] They were the first elections since the overthrow and death of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi a year earlier, the first free national elections since 1952,[4] and only the second free national elections since Libya gained independence in 1951.

Once elected, the General National Congress was to appoint a Prime Minister and Cabinet.[5] The GNC was originally to be charged with appointing a Constituent Assembly to draw up Libya's new constitution in an interim period of 18–22 months before a constitutional referendum and new elections on that basis, but the National Transitional Council (NTC) announced on 5 July that the Assembly would instead be directly elected at a later date.[4]

Despite threats of a boycott, a majority of Libyans (61.58%)[6] cast a ballot. However, the election was marred by violence, protests and a number of deaths.[7][8]

Electoral system

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A draft election law was published on 1 January 2012 on the website of the High National Election Commission (HNEC), after which public comments were accepted. The draft law proposed electing 200 representatives, of which at least 10% should be women, unless fewer than 10% of candidates were women. Members of the NTC and Jamahiriya government members, including relatives of Muammar Gaddafi, were barred from running.[9][10]

The second draft abolished the women's quota and allowed local NTC council members to run in the election; it also changed the electoral system from countrywide to constituency-based.[11] Following further protests against restrictions for dual nationals and other issues, the release of the electoral law was again postponed to 28 January 2012.[12] The NTC also sought the input of the Libyan Women's Platform for Peace, who had proposed an alternative electoral law and criticized the official draft on four key points relating to dual nationals, lack of a women's quota, inadequate countermeasures against corruption and the risk of incentivizing tribal party formation.[13][independent source needed]

A new electoral law was finally drafted on 28–29 January 2012. The election system will be a form of parallel voting, with 64 constituency seats (with independent candidates only) and 136 list seats for party lists. Lists will have to alternate between male and female candidates, in effect ensuring a women's quota. The age required to stand for election was lowered to 21 years, and citizens with dual nationality will be allowed to vote and run in the election.[14][15] Further changes were later made, changing the ratio to 120 constituency seats and 80 list seats, reportedly in an attempt to reduce the Muslim Brotherhood's influence in the new parliament.[16] The 120 constituency seats would be elected from 69 constituencies, whilst the 80 list seats would be elected in 20 constituencies.[17]

Voter registration

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Registration of voters, parties participating in elections and independent candidates started at 1 May, and was due to finish on 14 May. However, following a call for a boycott of the process by the Council of Cyrenaica, which is seeking autonomy for parts of eastern Libya around the city of Benghazi, the deadline was extended until 21 May.[18] In total 2,865,937 voters, or 80% of the estimated 3 million to 3.5 million electorate, registered for the elections.[5] The registration process was supervised by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.[19]

Minority groups, such as the Tawerghans, who had been accused of supporting former leader Muammar Gaddafi, said that the election was futile as they are marginalised. They also added that voter registration was difficult.[20] Yet about 90 percent of Tawerghans living in Janzour Naval Academy refugee camp registered to vote.[21]

Campaign

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A total of 374 party lists registered to contest the 80 party list seats, together with 2,639 candidates for the 120 constituency seats.[17] The four parties that were expected to dominate the election are the National Front Party, the Justice and Construction Party, the National or Homeland Party and the National Forces Alliance. The National Front Party is linked to the National Front for the Salvation of Libya (NFSL), a former anti-Gaddafi resistance group formed in the 1980s. It is led by Mohamed el-Magariaf, an intellectual based in Eastern Libya. The Justice and Construction Party is the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya. The Homeland Party is an Islamist party as well, led by the Islamic cleric Ali al-Sallabi and Abdelhakim Belhadj, the former emir of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG). The National Forces Alliance is a liberal umbrella coalition around ex-interim prime minister Mahmoud Jibril, who himself did not run for a seat in the GNC.[22][23]

The Libyan Popular National Movement, a political party supporting the policies of Gaddafi, was banned from participating in the elections.[citation needed]

Conduct

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Voting was disrupted in some parts of the country, with 6% of the 6,629 polling stations unable to open normally.[5][24] However all but eight polling stations managed to open up for voters during the day and the remaining eight, including two in the Kufra area, which had seen clashes between Toubous and government forces, opened the following day.[25] In the Benghazi area a polling station was attacked by activists seeking autonomy for the east of the country and an election official was killed by a gun attack on a helicopter carrying voting materials on the day before the election.[5] In eastern Libya former rebels closed five oil terminals at Brega, Ra's Lanuf and Sidra for 48 hours in an attempt to disrupt the elections.[5][26] In Ajdabiya a pro-federalism protester was shot dead by locals when he tried to steal a ballot box from a polling station.[27] Officials with the HNEC were denied access to Bani Walid by tribal Gaddafi loyalists who control the city, and could not monitor the voting process.[28]

Around 1.7 million of 2.8 million registered voters participated in the elections.[25]

Results

[edit]

According to first counts, the liberal National Forces Alliance did well in the northern areas except Misrata, whereas the race was more even in the south. The other key contenders were the Islamic Justice and Construction Party, which came in second, and Al-Watan, which in the end won no seats at all.[29]

On 17 July, the High National Election Commission announced provisional results. In the 80 proportional seats, Mahmoud Jibril's National Forces Alliance (NFA) received 48.1%, winning 39 seats. This was followed by the Justice and Construction Party (JCP), which received 10.3% and 17 seats and third was the National Front Party with 4.1% and three seats. The Union for the Homeland and the National Centrist Party also took two seats, as did the Wadi Al-Hayah Party for Democracy and Development. Fifteen other parties won one party list seat each.[30][31]

The affiliation of the 120 independents is obscure but the election for Prime Minister gave some indication: in the first round Mahmoud Jibril (NFA) got 86 votes, Mustafa Abushagur (independent) got 55 votes and Awad Barasi (JCP) got 41 votes.[32] Then Abushagur defeated Jibril with 96 to 94. It is estimated that 25 independents are associated with the NFA, 17 with Justice and Construction, and 23 are Salafis.[33]

PartyParty listConstituencyTotal
seats
Votes%SeatsVotes%Seats
National Forces Alliance714,76948.143939
Justice and Construction Party152,44110.271717
Union for Homeland66,7724.5022
National Front Party60,5864.0833
National Centrist Party59,4024.0022
Homeland Party51,2923.4500
Homeland for Development and Prosperity23,6291.5911
Authenticity and Innovation Combine18,7451.2611
Al-Hekma (Wisdom) Party17,1291.1511
Libyan Youth16,1191.0900
The Middle Nation Gathers15,3541.0311
Authenticity and Progress come Together13,6790.9211
Libyan National Democratic Party13,0920.8811
National Parties Alliance12,7350.8611
National Democratic Rally Party for Justice and Progress12,1470.8200
People's Party11,9170.8000
Ar-Resalah (The Message)7,8600.5311
Libya Unites as One Nation7,8530.5300
Centrist Youth Party7,3190.4911
Wadi Al-Hayah Party for Democracy and Development6,9470.4722
Democratic Youth Alliance Party6,4760.4400
Libya Success6,3910.4300
Libya – The Hope6,0930.4111
Free National Congress5,9010.4000
Authenticity and Development Association5,2500.3500
Nafusa Mountains Gathering5,2260.3500
Authenticity and Construction4,8180.3200
Democratic Party for the Rule of Law4,7690.3200
National Movement for Justice and Development4,7130.3200
Renaissance and Development Entity4,6290.3100
Authenticity and Justice Alliance4,6040.3100
National Congress Association4,4520.3000
National Rally Party4,4090.3000
Independent National Rally4,2760.2900
Brotherhood Party for Justice and Development4,1610.2800
Libyan Accord Party3,9260.2600
National Democratic Alliance3,7070.2500
National Democratic Consensus Party3,6860.2500
Labaika National Party3,4720.2311
Progress for Libya3,3190.2200
Tripoli Gathering3,1030.2100
Libyan Unity Gathering3,0530.2100
The Center Party for Development and Security3,0390.2000
Libyan Party for Liberty and Development2,6910.1811
Libyan Development Party2,6490.1800
Change and Construction Party2,5700.1700
Libya, the Civilization2,2530.1500
Renaissance2,2270.1500
Entity, Homeland, Freedom, Justice2,1560.1500
National Democratic Movement2,1460.1400
The Center Gathering for Democracy, Justice and Development2,0940.1400
Dawa and Development Party2,0720.1400
National Current Gathering2,0620.1400
National Communication1,8870.1300
The Transition from Revolution to State1,8100.1200
Free Libyans Party1,7810.1200
Libya for All1,6110.1100
Development for the Future1,5960.1100
Justice, Reform and Development Alliance1,5860.1100
Conservative Independence Party1,5550.1000
Promise (National Rally for Justice and Democracy)1,5460.1000
Arrakeeza (The Foundation)1,5250.1011
Loyalists Party1,4980.1000
Al-Wafa Foundation for Martyrs1,4960.1000
Al-Kadwa Political Forum1,4500.1000
Democratic Development and Prosperity Party1,4200.1000
Nation and Prosperity1,4000.0911
Virtue Gathering1,3630.0900
National Constitutional Rally1,3550.0900
National Party of Wadi ash-Shati'1,3550.0911
Libyan Democratic Rally Party1,3340.0900
Libyan Youth Movement1,3320.0900
Libya Al Watan Party1,3240.0900
Libyan Rally Party1,3200.0900
Peace and development1,2550.0800
National Reform Gathering1,2370.0800
Libya Union Gathering1,2350.0800
Al-Wefaq and Development Party1,2300.0800
Libyan Organization for National Unity1,2130.0800
National Vision1,1860.0800
Coalition to Encourage Women's and Youth Participation in Decision-Making1,1060.0700
National Youth Assembly1,0930.0700
Libya Renaissance Movement1,0760.0700
Democratic Center Party1,0580.0700
Libyan Youth Political Bloc1,0440.0700
Independent National Gathering - Tarhuna1,0380.0700
National Loyalty Party9960.0700
National Bloc for Change and Reform9820.0700
Freedom and justice9550.0600
Sharia current9520.0600
Liberation Party for Justice and Development9260.0600
Justice and progress8910.0600
Libyan National Free Assembly8720.0600
Labour Party8250.0600
White Hands Coalition7980.0500
Libya Unites in Purpose and Destiny7880.0500
Umma Party7620.0500
The Future7580.0500
Wadi Al-Rimal Development and Change Group7060.0500
Libya's Hopes6790.0500
National Rally for Solidarity and Development6650.0400
Libyan Solidarity Gathering6590.0400
Afaq Association for Women and Child Care6550.0400
Renewal Gathering6370.0400
Our Youth5720.0400
National Authenticity Forum5180.0300
Moderate Democratic Gathering4880.0300
Democratic Social Reform Gathering4580.0300
United Libya Gathering4290.0300
Homeland Alliance Coalition4140.0300
Advancement and Renewal4110.0300
National Youth Gathering4010.0300
Development Party4000.0300
National Accord Party3770.0300
Libyan Spring3630.0200
New National Congress list3450.0200
Future Vision Forum3310.0200
Democratic Competence Party3230.0200
Libyan Republican Party3210.0200
Youth Voice Gathering3140.0200
Libyan Club for Politics and Development3120.0200
Libya, the Beating Heart2890.0200
Free Democratic Bloc2820.0200
Internal National Forces2720.0200
Libyan Party2680.0200
Homeland Belt Gathering2540.0200
United Libya Centrist Party1770.0100
National Party of Libyan Youth1650.0100
Liberal Party1120.0100
The Libya we Want1050.0100
Independent120120
Total1,484,702100.0080120200
Source: [34][35]

References

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  1. ↑ "Q&A: Libya's General National Congress election", BBC News, 7 July 2012, archived from the original on 5 July 2012, retrieved 20 June 2018
  2. ↑ "Libya elections postponed to July 7". gulfnews.com. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  3. ↑ "Libya: Transitional authorities to hold election 19 June", AfriqueJet, 28 April 2012, archived from the original on 7 May 2012, retrieved 1 May 2012
  4. 1 2 3 Gumuchian, Marie-Louise; Al Shalchi, Hadeel. "Libyans celebrate free vote despite violence". Reuters. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Libya election: High turnout in historic vote". BBC News. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  6. ↑ "National Congress party results -". www.libyaherald.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  7. ↑ "Boycott calls and unrest raise fear of violence on eve of Libya's first election". 6 July 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ "Libyan militia storm election office in Benghazi as violence spreads". The Guardian. Associated Press. 1 July 2012. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  9. ↑ "Libya citizens linked to Muammar Gaddafi can't run in election: draft bill". 2 January 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  10. ↑ "Mahmoud Jibril: From Libya's spokesman to its kingmaker". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2017 – via The Globe and Mail.
  11. ↑ Holmes, Oliver (20 January 2012), Libya drops election quota for women, Reuters, archived from the original on 11 December 2019, retrieved 5 July 2021
  12. ↑ Libya postpones adopting election law, News24.com, 22 January 2012, archived from the original on 23 January 2012, retrieved 24 January 2012
  13. ↑ News Flash: NTC Considering Draft Electoral Law Proposed by Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace, Shabab Libya, 25 January 2012, archived from the original on 26 June 2013, retrieved 25 January 2012
  14. ↑ Lamloum, Imed (28 January 2012), Libya's NTC adopts election law, drops women quota, AFP, archived from the original on 29 January 2012, retrieved 11 November 2016
  15. ↑ Mo Hong'e (29 January 2012), Libya's NTC announces new electoral law, Xinhua, archived from the original on 6 March 2012, retrieved 30 January 2012
  16. ↑ Eljarh, Mohamed (1 February 2012), "The Libyan Elections Law 2012 and the Muslim Brotherhood", Middle East Online, archived from the original on 9 November 2013, retrieved 1 February 2012
  17. 1 2 "Libya elections: Do any of the parties have a plan?". BBC News. 6 July 2012. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  18. ↑ Libya extends voter registration amid boycott call Archived 11 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine Daily Star (Lebanon), 13 May 2012
  19. ↑ Final registration count at more than 2.7 million voters Archived 14 April 2020 at the Wayback Machine Libya Herald, 23 May 2012
  20. ↑ "Tawerghans doubtful on vote". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  21. ↑ The election at the Tawergha camp in the Janzour Naval Academy Archived 14 March 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Libya Herald
  22. ↑ Coker, Margaret (22 June 2012), "Libya Election Panel Battles Ghosts", The Wall Street Journal, archived from the original on 25 September 2017, retrieved 8 August 2017
  23. ↑ Khan, Umar (5 June 2012), "Libya's delayed elections are hard to call", The Guardian, archived from the original on 24 December 2013, retrieved 2 July 2012
  24. ↑ Daily statistics from 1 to 21 May 2012 Archived 4 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine, High National Election Commission.
  25. 1 2 Election: 1.7 million Libyans voted; polling continues in 8 centres today Archived 22 August 2019 at the Wayback Machine, Libya Herald, 8 July 2012
  26. ↑ Protests and tears of joy mark free Libyan poll Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Reuters
  27. ↑ Libyan anti-poll protester shot dead in clash Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Reuters
  28. ↑ Libyans vote in first election in more than 40 years Archived 22 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine Truth Out
  29. ↑ Soguel, Dominique (8 July 2012), Jibril urges unity as Libya wraps up vote count, AFP, archived from the original on 15 August 2012, retrieved 11 November 2016
  30. ↑ National Forces Alliance sweeps party lists as election results finally announced Archived 26 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Libya Herald, 17 July 2012.
  31. ↑ National Congress Party Results, Libya Herald, 18 July 2012.
  32. ↑ "Abushagur elected as Prime Minister -". www.libyaherald.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  33. ↑ "Research paper" (PDF). www.swp-berlin.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  34. ↑ "القوائم" [Lists]. High National Elections Commission (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 31 August 2013.
  35. ↑ "المرشحون" [Candidates]. High National Elections Commission (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2 September 2013.
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