Council elections begin in eastern region of Libya

Municipal council elections began in Libya's eastern region on Monday, with voters casting ir ballots in cities of Jalu, Awjila and Jikharra in Al-Wahat district.

head of Khaled Bin Al-Waleed School polling station Ezzdin Al-Oujali said turut was good in his district, with 1,695 voters turning up.

Voters in nationwide election are picking from dozens of candidates, including four women and four candidates with special needs.

Local elections began in west of country about a week ago under supervision of UN-backed government of National Accord in Tripoli, while elections began in east on Monday in several municipalities under supervision of interim government of Libyan Parliament.

To help facilitate vote, authorities assigned day as an official holiday.

municipal elections are first in nearly 7 years in east of country.

first ever parliamentary and local democratic elections were held in April 2014 after fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

More than 600,000 voters are eligible participate in nationwide electoral process, according to Central Committee for Municipal Council Elections in Libya.