Libyans Hold Emotional Multi-Party Election, First in 60 Years

Libyans went to the polls Saturday for the country’s first multi-party election in 60 years. Midway through the day of voting, there no disruptions or major incidents.

It was an emotional moment for people who have lived through 42 years of dictatorship and a bloody revolution.
Libyan drivers honked in celebration as they passed young revolutionary fighters guarding a key intersection. Just nine months ago, the young men were fighting the forces of Moammar Gaddhafi. At a school in a working class neighborhood, women celebrated and showed off their ink-stained fingers, evidence that they had voted. Inside, in separate men’s and women’s voting rooms procedures were followed with precision and respect. There are dozens of Islamist and relatively secular parties, and hundreds of independent candidates. Islamists are expected to do well, but 23-year-old recent university graduate Farah Moterdy said she would not be voting for them, fearing they would try to restrict women’s rights.