– ‘Shadow MPs’ –
For analyst Salem Soltan, none of the candidates standing in the elections “carry the political or social weight” needed in the assembly.
The new parliament risks “being run by shadow MPs, who will act according to instructions from warlords and militias,” he said.
There are concerns that violence will mar polling day, particular in the unrest-hit east, scene of a deadly 2012 attack by jihadists on the US consulate in Benghazi.
“Generally, we are optimistic, but there is a risk that the vote will be disrupted in some polling stations, namely in Benghazi and Derna,” both Islamist strongholds, an electoral official told AFP.
Last week, the government instructed the interior ministry and the armed forces to come up with a security plan for the vote. READ: Libyans called to polls amid mounting anger over insecurity.
The task is not expected to be easy.
Authorities have been struggling to build a strong army and police force and now face defections from members of the security forces who have joined the ranks of rogue general Khalifa Haftar who is battling Islamists in Benghazi.
Haftar, accused by authorities of trying to mount a coup, said he would observe a truce during the vote, but the Islamists did not divulge their intentions.
The UN Security Council urged Libyans to ensure that the election is held peacefully, warning that it is an “important step in Libya’s transition towards stable democratic governance.”
A Western diplomat warned against electoral fraud and said the next challenge would be if Libyans rally around the vote.
“The challenge is not holding an election. The success of the vote will depend on whether all influential players in the country will accept its results.”
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