The international community has spent

The ecs011532 international community has spent months helping Libya organize its first free election, although the campaign period itself has been a rushed affair—less than three weeks long. International and local observers will be monitoring the process, but the vote tallies aren't expected for several days after Saturday's polls. About 80% of eligible voters have registered to cast ballots. Close to 4,000 candidates are vying for the 200 seats of the new Congress, of which 120 are reserved for independent candidates and 80 will be filled by political parties. Some 130 parties have formed, though few have national reach. Here in Benghazi, the eastern city that is home to much of the country's oil and oil-services companies, hundreds of would-be politicians ecs011148 are vying for seats. Armies of students walk traffic-clogged lanes cradling the Mediterranean seafront, distributing political posters and campaign literature featuring the faces of candidates from their chosen parties. Libyans eagerly grab these pamphlets, but often appear confused by a lack of nuance on issues such as healthcare, defense, education and the economy. Many independent candidates are well-known businessmen, lesser-known artists or members of prominent families, eager to try their hand at representative politics. Since the Gadhafi-era media infrastructure has yet to be replaced by any national news outlets, few candidates are known outside their local areas or even beyond their extended families or employees. Some newly formed national political parties, however, discountoakleys and rayban are well-financed and have registered members to run in districts across the country.