NGO reports vote-buying in Libya

The Libyan non-governmental observatory organisation, Chahid has reported widespread vote-buying operations in the region of Salouq, 50km to the southwest of Benghazi, and urged Libya's Supreme Electoral Commission (SEC) to act against this violation, Chahid's spokesperson Magdi al-Sharif told Arabstoday. Sharif also condemned the  storming of the headquarters of SEC in Benghazi, saying this conduct was "against the objectives of the February 17 uprising". "SEC is trying to make good preparations for the National Congress elections which are expected to be a huge step towards the end of the transitional period and the establishment of a modern and democratic state," said Sharif. "These actions will neither benefit Libyans nor the objectives the uprising has sought" he added. Sharif called the interim government and the ruling National Transitional Council to tighten security around the headquarters of SEC, as well as to ensure the security of voters during the election process itself.