Libya is preparing for an historic election that will be a milestone on its way to democracy, after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi last year.

During the National Congress election, voters will choose a 200-member congress which will elect a prime minister and cabinet before laying the ground for full parliamentary elections next year under a new constitution.

A total of 374 political entities will compete for 80 of the 200 seats in the national congress, while 2,639 individual candidates will contest the rest.

Though recent violent clashes in eastern Libya have caused casualties and put a negative impact on the election, the Chairman of Libya's High National Electoral Commission, Nouri al-Abbar says they will not get in the way of the path to democracy.