Libyan general election, 1952

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General elections were held in Libya on 19 February 1952, [1] except in three constituencies in Tripolitania, where the elections were delayed until March after rioters destroyed the electoral register on election day. [2] [3] They were the first elections in the country's history. [4]

Libya Country in north Africa

Libya, officially the State of Libya, is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad to the south, Niger to the southwest, Algeria to the west, and Tunisia to the northwest. The sovereign state is made of three historical regions: Tripolitania, Fezzan and Cyrenaica. With an area of almost 1.8 million square kilometres (700,000 sq mi), Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa, and is the 16th largest country in the world. Libya has the 10th-largest proven oil reserves of any country in the world. The largest city and capital, Tripoli, is located in western Libya and contains over one million of Libya's six million people. The second-largest city is Benghazi, which is located in eastern Libya.

Tripolitania Place

Tripolitania is a historic region and former province of Libya.

Contents

Electoral system

Voting was restricted to sane and solvent men over the age of 21, and did not allow for secret balloting, except in urban areas. They elected 55 members to the Lower House of the Parliament in single member constituencies. [4] The constituencies were divided into urban areas and rural areas; in the urban areas voters were given a ballot paper, which they dropped into the coloured ballot box of their candidate, whilst in rural areas voters were asked who they supported and their answer recorded by registering officer, with a committee of observers as witnesses. The committee included a returning officer, a judge and a notable person from the constituency. [4]

The United Nations turned down a proposal that it should monitor the elections. [4]

United Nations Intergovernmental organization

The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization that was tasked to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international co-operation and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations. The headquarters of the UN is in Manhattan, New York City, and is subject to extraterritoriality. Further main offices are situated in Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna and The Hague. The organization is financed by assessed and voluntary contributions from its member states. Its objectives include maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development and upholding international law. The UN is the largest, most familiar, most internationally represented and most powerful intergovernmental organization in the world. In 24 October 1945, at the end of World War II, the organization was established with the aim of preventing future wars. At its founding, the UN had 51 member states; there are now 193. The UN is the successor of the ineffective League of Nations.

Campaign and election day

A total of 141 candidates contested the election, most of whom ran as independents. [4] There were two opposing groups; one supportive of Prime Minister Mahmud al-Muntasir, and one led by the Congress Party headed by Beshir Bey Sadawi. [4] The Congress Party was largely focussed on opposition to foreign influence in Libya, despite receiving financial support from Egypt. [4] It also claimed that voting for pro-government candidates would lead to voters effectively excommunicating themselves from the Islamic faith. [2] The Prime Minister called on voters to elect the candidate most likely to help implement the government's 19-point programme. [4]

Mahmud al-Muntasir former Prime Minister of Libya

Mahmud al-Muntasir was the first Prime minister of Libya from March 29, 1951 to February 19, 1954, and again from January 20, 1964 to March 20, 1965. He was also the Minister of Foreign Affairs during his first term.

Egypt Country spanning North Africa and Southwest Asia

Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt is a Mediterranean country bordered by the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast, the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea to the east, Sudan to the south, and Libya to the west. Across the Gulf of Aqaba lies Jordan, across the Red Sea lies Saudi Arabia, and across the Mediterranean lie Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, although none share a land border with Egypt.

Islam is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion teaching that there is only one God, and that Muhammad is the messenger of God. It is the world's second-largest religion with over 1.8 billion followers or 24% of the world's population, most commonly known as Muslims. Muslims make up a majority of the population in 50 countries. Islam teaches that God is merciful, all-powerful, and unique, and has guided humankind through prophets, revealed scriptures and natural signs. The primary scriptures of Islam are the Quran, viewed by Muslims as the verbatim word of God, and the teachings and normative examples of Muhammad.

On election day one person was killed and a British police officer was injured following exchanges of fire between a crowd of people and the police in Misrata, and several people were also hospitalised after the police used tear gas. [5] The violence broke out after the crowd was told that their requests for a Congress Party candidate to be present in the polling booth was illegal. [5] Similar protests occurred in Tripolitania. [5]

Tear gas non-lethal chemical weapon

Tear gas, formally known as a lachrymator agent or lachrymator, sometimes colloquially known as mace, is a chemical weapon that causes severe eye and respiratory pain, skin irritation, bleeding, and even blindness. In the eye, it stimulates the nerves of the lacrimal gland to produce tears. Common lachrymators include pepper spray, PAVA spray (nonivamide), CS gas, CR gas, CN gas, bromoacetone, xylyl bromide, syn-propanethial-S-oxide, and Mace, and household vinegar.

Results and aftermath

As expected, [4] the Congress Party were victorious in Tripoli, but pro-government candidates won all other seats. [1] The Congress Party won a total of eight seats, [6] whilst the majority of seats were held by pro-government independents. [3] Following the election, rioting broke out, resulting in all political parties being banned. [1] Sadawi was deported to Egypt, along with his brother, nephew and some other supporters, whilst the Congress Party secretary was deported to his native Tunisia. [6]

Tunisia Country in Northern Africa

Tunisia (officially the Republic of Tunisia) is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa, covering 163,610 square kilometres. Its northernmost point, Cape Angela, is the northernmost point on the African continent. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Tunisia's population was 11.435 million in 2017. Tunisia's name is derived from its capital city, Tunis, which is located on its northeast coast.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 The Libyan economy: economic diversification and international repositioning p16
  2. 1 2 "Police Open Fire In Libya Election Disturbances", The Times, 21 February 1952, p6, Issue 52241
  3. 1 2 "News in Brief", The Times, 8 March 1952, p5, Issue 52255
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Polling In Libya To-Day First Election, Western Bases As A Factor", The Times, 19 February 1952, p4, Issue 52239
  5. 1 2 3 "Libya Goes To The Poll Some Incidents Reported", The Times, 20 February 1952, p3, Issue 52240
  6. 1 2 "Deportations In Libya Leader Of Congress Party", The Times, 23 February 1952, p6, Issue 52243
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