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Libya holds elections to end post-Gaddafi instability Libya holds elections to end post-Gaddafi instability
(about 14 hours later)
Libyans go to the polls on Wednesday in the hope of ending the anarchy that has gripped the country since the 2011 overthrow of the Gaddafi regime. Libyans are going to the polls in the hope of ending the anarchy that has gripped the country since the 2011 overthrow of the Gaddafi regime.
A new 200-seat parliament will be elected in the second poll since the former regime's overthrow.A new 200-seat parliament will be elected in the second poll since the former regime's overthrow.
The UN has described the poll as "an important step in Libya's transition towards stable democratic governance".The UN has described the poll as "an important step in Libya's transition towards stable democratic governance".
The election was called a month ago amid government claims that a renegade general was plotting a coup.The election was called a month ago amid government claims that a renegade general was plotting a coup.
General Khalifa Haftar denied the allegation, but launched a military offensive against Islamist militias whom he accused of holding Libya to ransom.General Khalifa Haftar denied the allegation, but launched a military offensive against Islamist militias whom he accused of holding Libya to ransom.
At least 70 people were killed in the ensuing battles. Gunmen also stormed the parliamentary building in the capital, Tripoli.At least 70 people were killed in the ensuing battles. Gunmen also stormed the parliamentary building in the capital, Tripoli.
More than 1.5 million voters have registered for the election, compared with 2.8 million who registered for Libya's first election in 2012, Reuters news agency reports.More than 1.5 million voters have registered for the election, compared with 2.8 million who registered for Libya's first election in 2012, Reuters news agency reports.
Nearly 2,000 candidates are vying for seats in the new parliament, which will be called the House of Representatives.Nearly 2,000 candidates are vying for seats in the new parliament, which will be called the House of Representatives.
Secular parties won elections in 2012, but there are no party lists in this election, our correspondent says. Liberal parties defeated Islamists in the 2012 elections, but there are no party lists this time, says the BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli.
Instead, candidates are contesting parliamentary seats as individuals - a decision taken to reduce tensions, she adds. Instead, candidates are contesting parliamentary seats as individuals - a decision taken to reduce tensions, our correspondent says.
Analysis: Rana Jawad, BBC News, TripoliAnalysis: Rana Jawad, BBC News, Tripoli
The new parliament will replace the General National Congress, a body that became riddled with controversy, political deadlock and the ideological battles that have raged since the historic election nearly two years ago.The new parliament will replace the General National Congress, a body that became riddled with controversy, political deadlock and the ideological battles that have raged since the historic election nearly two years ago.
Though many Libyans have grown wary of the politics since then, they have not quite given up on democracy yet. As one prospective voter put it, "We will keep voting until we get the right people in."Though many Libyans have grown wary of the politics since then, they have not quite given up on democracy yet. As one prospective voter put it, "We will keep voting until we get the right people in."
It comes at a critical time for Libya, with growing pockets of instability and a prevailing sense of chaotic politics that is crippling the country.It comes at a critical time for Libya, with growing pockets of instability and a prevailing sense of chaotic politics that is crippling the country.
This election is seen as a fresh start, but the underlying divisions, involving political and armed groups, remain. They are all seeking to either overrule or outgun each other. Until these differences are set aside and a compromise reached, the tangible progress many hope for will stay out of reach.This election is seen as a fresh start, but the underlying divisions, involving political and armed groups, remain. They are all seeking to either overrule or outgun each other. Until these differences are set aside and a compromise reached, the tangible progress many hope for will stay out of reach.
Can Libya's elections end the fighting?
The assembly has been widely blamed for the crisis in Libya, our reporter says.The assembly has been widely blamed for the crisis in Libya, our reporter says.
The new parliament will be called the House of Representatives, she adds.
The cabinet issued a decree earlier this month that it would be based in the second city, Benghazi.The cabinet issued a decree earlier this month that it would be based in the second city, Benghazi.
The move appears to be an attempt to placate residents of Benghazi who feel neglected, despite triggering the revolution that led to Col Gaddafi being toppled, our correspondent says.The move appears to be an attempt to placate residents of Benghazi who feel neglected, despite triggering the revolution that led to Col Gaddafi being toppled, our correspondent says.
However, it is unclear whether new MPs would feel safe in Benghazi, which has been badly affected by instability, she adds. However, it is unclear whether new MPs would feel safe in the eastern city, which has been badly affected by recent fighting, she adds.