Description of the Electoral System

Political parties were banned by the Prohibition of Party Politics Act Number 71 of 1972. The General People's Congress (Mu'tammar al-sha'ab al 'âmm) consists out of about 2700 representatives of the Basis People's Congresses.

Politics in Libya  

Politics of Libya takes place in a framework of a dual government structure in Libya. The "revolutionary sector" comprises Revolutionary Leader Moammar al-Qadhafi, the Revolutionary Committees, and the remaining members of the 12-person Revolutionary Command Council, which was established in 1969. The historical revolutionary leadership is not elected and cannot be voted out of office, as they are in power by virtue of their involvement in the revolution. The revolutionary sector dictates the decision-making power of the second sector, the "Jamahiriya Sector". Making up the legislative branch of government, this sector comprises Local People's Congresses in each of the 1,500 urban wards, 32 Sha’biyat People’s Congresses for the regions, and the National General People's Congress. These legislative bodies are represented by corresponding executive bodies (Local People's Committees, Sha'biyat People's Committees and the National General People’s Committee/Cabinet).