Facts about Libya's nationwide elections
A Libyan election official works at a polling station in Tripoli, Libya. (July 6, 2012) Credit: AP
Facts about Libya's election Saturday for a 200-member General National Congress, the first nationwide vote since the ouster of Moammar Gadhafi last year:
—Eligible voters: 3.3 million.
—Registered voters: Almost 2.9 million.
—Not eligible to vote: Officials from Gadhafi's regime.
—Polls open on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time (2 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT; 0600 to 1800 GMT).
—Results are expected within a week of voting.
—Allocation of seats: 100 for Tripoli and the west, 60 for Benghazi and the east, 40 for southwest.
—Candidates seeking election: About 3,700, including 585 women.
—Main contenders: Muslim Brotherhood (Islamists), Al-Watan (Salafis and other Islamists), Alliance of National Forces (secular), National Front (veteran opposition to Gadhafi), National Centrist (former Finance Minister Ali Tarhouni).
—Next steps: New Assembly appoints Cabinet within 30 days. A second election for a 60-member body to write a new constitution. Referendum on constitution. Election for new parliament in 2013.