Polling stations in Derna closed due to security issues

Libyans in the eastern town of Derna won't be taking part in today's elections, as all of its some 50 polling stations are closed due to a worrisome security situation.

Speaking to local daily Libya Herald, an anonymous town official said headteachers had refused requests from the electoral commission to use schools as polling stations. Their decision is thought to be related to an incident in February when five schools due to be used as polling centres for the constitutional referendum were bombed, killing one man, with the schools left to pay for repairs in the absence of government funding. 

The unnamed official said there was little point in elections taking place in Derna, as candidates "were not known" while the government has "consistently refused to take responsibility for the town's problems". The eastern town has been racked with violence with various militias and extremist groups present, which has fuelled violence and instability in recent months. 

A resident of town told the Herald that there had been no campaigning by candidates, as if they had attempted to they would "immediately become targets".