Libyans have voted in their first free elections in decades following the ouster of long-time autocrat Muammar Qadhafi. The voting on Saturday appeared to have been largely peaceful despite protests disrupting some polling centres, with the country’s election commission reporting a 60 per cent voter turnout. According to the election commission, only 24 out of 1,554 polling stations had not been able to open their doors due to acts of sabotage mostly in the east, where there is resentment over the seats allocated to them in the legislature.

Only senior citizens of Libya would have remembered voting in the last national elections under King Idris in May 1965 although without political parties.

Libya rejoiced at their voting on Saturday. Indeed it was a moment of joy for the Libyans with the realisation of their struggle for democracy against the oppressive Qadhafi regime.

It is an understatement that the Libyans were dazzled in the run-up to the elections. They have lived through 42 years of stagnancy during which the only thing they knew was that they risked being thrown into jail if they spoke out. Saturday was the time for them not only to speak out but also to decide who should rule them.

For some Libyans, it was a matter of sadness that the voting was held under the rule of the National Transitional Council (NTC), which includes some remnants of Qadhafi’s regime.

The NTC is headed by Mustafa Abdul Jalil, Qadhafi’s former chief of justice.

The council has not been able to control events in the country, where armed militias rule the roost, with no effective central authority supported by strong security forces capable of maintaining law and order. Fighting breaks out at the slightest provocation between militiamen who have refused to give up the weapons with which they fought the Qadhafi regime.

Although they do not know much about politicking, the Libyans have enthusiastically embraced the political process. They have voted to elect a 200-member national congress from among 3,707 candidates representing 142 parties and civil society coalitions. Former Qadhafi regime officials and NTC members were not permitted to run in the elections.

The elected legislative body will appoint an interim government, and voters will then elect a committee to draft a new constitution, setting Libya on the path to a permanent political system.

There are many concerns about the future of Libya, including Western fears that the Islamists of the country could emerge as the winners in the elections. But then, that is the choice of the Libyan people and everyone should respect it.