Libyan Elections

The joyous moment slipped away all too quickly. With every passing minute since the polling stations closed, the fear of what happens next has been creeping up on Meftah Lahwel and his friends. Instead of celebrating on the streets like thousands of other young Libyans, the medicine student met with friends in a café to deliberate what they could do to bring the country forward.

"The elections are just one step, one step in a long chain. Until now we've only managed achieve the elections, we've still got a lot of work to do," said Lahwel. The next step towards democracy might be tough, but hopes are high, and the euphoria of election day may further motivate Libyans.

Like many others in the capital, Lahwel and his friends enjoyed the election day celebrations. Tripoli was covered in flags, hymns of the revolution and cries of joy could be heard all round. Many Libyans compared the jubilations to a wedding celebration. The long queues outside polling stations became small celebrations where organizors distributed water and candy.

'Historic cesura'

Even experienced election observers from the European Union were moved by the high level of emotion. European Parliamentarian Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, who is monitoring the elections on behalf of the EU, talked about a "historic cesura." Just behind him, an elderly man, barely able to walk, chanted cries of freedom. He was simply happy to be able to vote once more. He was last able to vote under the rein of the King Idris, the first and only King of Libya.

Many young people share a sense of triumph that their protests have led to change - and now, to something tangible. "I was really excited. Hopefully they'll turn out good, so that our country can establish a democratic constitution, or it will become a traditional constitution, like in all other Arab countries, otherwise then it'll all be for nothing," said Wasef Salem Albdrani, who like his friend Meftah Lahwel, would like to be more optimistic. But the situation is still too vague. Looking at what happened Egypt and Tunisia, they fear that Libya could once again loose the accomplishments of the revolution.

"Unfortunately, we're standing before the danger of a religious state. If we don't stand up for our beliefs now and do something for human rights and democracy, then it will be a nightmare and we need to prevent that from happening," Albdrani said.

Men fighting for women's rights

To set the country on the right path, everyone must participate in the building of a civil society in Libya, said the two friends. Albdrani and Lahwel have founded a group promoting women's rights. In a traditional society such as that in Libya, where many women only go to the polls accompanied by their husbands or brothers, it is unusual for men to become active on the issue.

But for Albdrani and Lahwel it goes without saying. In their eyes, women's rights are human rights, which desperately need improving in Libya. They want to ensure that in a democracy, everyone has a voice and everyone is afforded equal rights.

"I'm not political, I concentrate on the social. In history, countries have changed and improved when social issues played a role: human rights, healthcare, education," said Lahwel. The group aims to educate women and explain to them their rights. They are trying to give women a voice, and hope that women will be sufficiently represented in the constituent legislative assembly.

Albdrani and Lahwel think that Libya, after more than four decades under the Gadhafi dictatorship, now needs to completely rebuild its political system from scratch. It's a great chance not to be missed: "If the religious figures come to control everything, the traditions and the tribes, then it's not going to be a democratic country," Albdrani said.

"That's what we're trying to do now, to reduce the influence these people can have on the constitution. If we're successful, it will be a real achievement," Albdrani added. For him and his friends, the revolution has only just begun.

Author: Karin Kails / hw

Editor: Sonya Diehn