A 71 percent turnout announced so far is only preliminary, High Electoral Commission member Abu Bakr Marda said in a phone interview with Libya Al-Ahrar TV, adding that counting is still underway and final results will be released later.
He explained that the high turnout rate reflects the desire of voters to exercise their electoral right and bring about change according to the procedures followed, noting that this is evidence of the citizen’s awareness and commitment to the principle of the peaceful transfer of power.
The member of the commission indicated that the counting and counting process is initially carried out at polling stations, then the results are referred to the statistics centre at the commission’s headquarters for tabulation, adding that the commission will announce within a period not exceeding 21 days the preliminary results of the polling process.
Marda stressed that the commission has partners in the electoral process, including observers, media, activists and security agencies, noting that these agencies provided full protection and security for the polling centres.
He explained that the day witnessed a large turnout since the early hours, noting that the reassurance provided by the presence of a security environment in various municipalities was a major reason why citizens went to cast their votes.
Marda stressed that the commission is technically and administratively capable of organising the electoral process at any time, stressing that it has qualified cadres to do so if the right conditions are provided.