Geographical Distribution of Electoral Districts in the 2014 House of Representatives Elections:A Study in Political Geography

Abstract

This research investigates the spatial organization of electoral districts in Libya during the 2014 House of Representatives elections within a political geography framework. The study addresses the critical challenge of achieving spatial justice across a vast territory characterized by extreme geographic and demographic disparities. Using descriptive, analytical, and regional methodologies, alongside quantitative and cartographic tools, the study analyzes the criteria governing the division of the country into 13 primary electoral districts. These divisions were primarily based on population size and geographic area while maintaining alignment with administrative boundaries. The analysis reveals significant spatial variation, where the Western region accounted for 46.1% of the primary districts and 50% of individual seats due to high population density, whereas the Southern and Central regions, despite their vast areas and natural resource wealth, held a smaller share of districts and polling stations. Findings indicate that the 2014 electoral map remained largely unchanged from the 2012 configuration, failing to bridge the gap between demographic weight and geographic importance. This imbalance has fueled regional tensions and socio-political competition between resource-rich eastern regions and the institutionally centralized west. The study concludes that achieving national cohesion requires a fundamental restructuring of electoral boundaries. It recommends adopting integrated criteria that balance population density with the strategic distribution of natural resources to ensure equitable representation and enhance political stability in the Libyan state.