An overseas voter casts her ballot in elections today (Photo: HNEC)
Voting in elections to the House of Representatives started today with Libyan citizens living abroad casting their ballots in 13 countries across the world.
Speaking at a press conference to mark the start of voting to the new legislature Fadia Al-Shuwaikh, Director of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) Center for Data Entry, told reporters that around 10,000 voters would cast their ballots outside of Libya at 22 polling centres.
Voting first began in Malaysia and finished earlier today due to the time difference. Voting in each foreign country will take place between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm local time. Five hundred and seventy nine voters, 435 men and 144 women, participated in elections in Malaysia, out of a possible 750 registered voters. Voting was just starting in Canada and the United States at the time of the press conference.
Shuwaikh said HNEC had sought to place overseas polling stations in embassies, schools or Libyan community centres abroad. She added that the primary concern had been ease of access for voters, in areas they knew well.
Voting will take place in Canada, Egypt, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Qatar, Tunisia, Turkey, the UAE, the UK and the USA. It will end tomorrow evening.
