The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

The Washington Post editorial board argues that Libya is making advances toward democracy. Libya “appears to be taking a couple steps toward a new democratic order for every step back.” Libya’s recent steps forward include the success of the interim government in registering 90 percent of the country’s eligible voters (47 percent of whom were women) for what would be the first election in 60 years. Successful local elections took place in both Benghazi and Misrata. Reports find that “daily life has mostly returned to normal” in these cities as well as in Tripoli. Oil production, the engine of Libya’s economy, has reached 90 percent of its pre-war level. While these advances are noteworthy, the country still faces hurdles to democratization. Libya’s future stability is threatened by the following: militia control over parts of the country; fighting between tribes and various ethnic groups; the threat of al-Qaeda seeking a foothold; and the influence of Abdel Hakim Belhadj’s militant Islamic political party gaining more support. The biggest potential setback in Libya’s democratic development is that the promised elections might be postponed. It is critical for Libya to meet the deadline for these elections because the sooner it has legitimate authorities in power, the sooner Libya can address the most important issues facing the country. The future elected officials “will be charged with writing a new constitution, appointing a new interim government and overseeing another election a year from now.”

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