By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 9 September 2014:
The seven new councillors on Hay Al-Andalous Muncipal Council were sworn into office today by . . .[restrict]the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Mohamed Al-Haji after which they proceeded to vote for its first-ever mayor.
There were two candidates Najmeddin Hussein Mohamed Hamza and Hussam Addin Mabrouk Tantush. Hamza was elected by four votes to three.
Contested elections have been the exception in the almost 70 appointments of mayors so far in Libya. In most cases, the councillors have agreed on who should be mayor in advance of their being sworn in, with the result that there has usually only one candidate.
Today’s swearing in and the election took place at the Ministry in Tripoli. [/restrict]
