Libyan Municipal Council Research 1. Detailed Methodology 2. Participation 3. Awareness 4. Knowledge 5. Communication 6. Service Delivery 7. Legitimacy 8. Drivers of Legitimacy 9. Focus Group Recommendations 10. Demographics Detailed Methodology • The survey was conducted on behalf of the International Republican Institute’s Center for Insights in Survey Research by Altai Consulting. This research is intended to support the development and evaluation of IRI and USAID/OTI Libya Transition Initiative programming with municipal councils. The research consisted of quantitative and qualitative components, conducted by IRI and USAID/OTI Libya Transition Initiative respectively. • Data was collected April 14 to May 24, 2016, and was conducted over the phone from Altai’s call center using computer-assisted telephone technology. • The sample was 2,671 Libyans aged 18 and over. • Quantitative: Libyans from the 22 administrative districts were interviewed on a 45-question questionnaire on municipal councils. In addition, 13 municipalities were oversampled to provide a more focused analysis on municipalities targeted by programming. Oversampled municipalities include: Tripoli Center (224), Souq al Jumaa (229), Tajoura (232), Abu Salim (232), Misrata (157), Sabratha (153), Benghazi (150), Bayda (101), Sabha (152), Ubari (102), Weddan (101), Gharyan (100) and Shahat (103). • The sample was post-weighted in order to ensure that each district corresponds to the latest population pyramid available on Libya (US Census Bureau Data, updated 2016) in order for the sample to be nationally representative. • Qualitative: 18 focus groups were conducted with 5-10 people of mixed employment status and level of education in Tripoli Center (men and women), Souq al Jumaa (men and women), Tajoura (men), Abu Salim (men), Misrata (men and women), Sabratha (men and women), Benghazi (men and women), Bayda (men), Sabha (men and women), Ubari (men), and Shahat (men). • The overall margin of error for the national survey is plus or minus 1.9 percent at the midrange of the 95 percent confidence level, while the overall margin of error for the oversampled municipalities is plus or minus 2.2 percent. • Figures in charts and tables may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding. 3 Overview of municipal councils in Libya According to Libyan Law 59, Chapter 3, municipal councils are the elected bodies responsible for all service delivery at the sub-national level. • Elections (and some official & semi-official appointments) held between 2012 and 2014. • Compared to other formal and informal governance actors, municipal councils are perceived favorably by Libyans. • Now that the House of Representatives’ mandate has expired, and given that the Government of National Accord has yet to be fully recognized, municipal councils are the only elected bodies that are fully and clearly legal throughout Libya. • Support is often driven by the fact that (most) municipal councils have stayed out of the national level political crisis, making them one of two government partners (along with line ministries) capable of addressing local level development and humanitarian issues. Municipal Council Elections Participation - Survey While most respondents did not register and vote in the last municipal council elections (with the exception of Misrata), participation was more or less in line with local elections in other countries. Encouragingly, 67 percent of respondents said they would vote in future elections, signaling a high level of interest in local politics. Did you register and vote in the last municipal council elections? (n=2,671) By municipality By gender Libya 34% 66% Female 28% 72% Misrata 52% 48% Gharyan 46% 54% Weddan 45% 55% Male 39% 60% Sabha 39% 60% Ubari 37% 63% Shahat 32% 68% By age Tajoura 30% 70% 55+ 45% 54% Sabratha 29% 71% Bayda 29% 71% 45-54 42% 56% Souq al Jumaa 28% 71% 35-44 33% 65% Tripoli Center 28% 72% Abu Salim 22% 76% 25-34 30% 69% Benghazi 21% 78% 18-24 23% 77% Yes No Don't know/No Answer Municipal Council Participation – Focus groups* Deciding whether or not to vote may be linked to perceptions of the current political situation in Libya. Misrata “I voted because we fought Sabratha “I will not vote until a to make our voice heard, change happens in the and this is one of the country.” means to do it.” - Female, 25, Sabratha - Female, 28, Misrata Shahat Tripoli Center “I didn’t vote because that “I participated and the day was not a holiday, it turnout in general was very was a normal day. Also, low. I was the only one to there were no ads about participate in my family.” it.” - Male, 31, Shahat - Male, 24, Tripoli Center *Conducted by USAID/OTI Libya Transition Initiative Awareness of Council Election/Appointment - Survey A majority of respondents in eight of the 13 oversampled municipalities, including all municipalities within Greater Tripoli, was not aware that municipal councils are elected. In your opinion, are municipal councils elected or appointed? (n=2,671) Bayda 65% 12% 19% 4% Shahat 65% 16% 12% 7% Weddan 59% 10% 17% 14% Gharyan 59% 12% 15% 14% Misrata 57% 19% 5% 19% Sabratha 48% 12% 19% 19% Benghazi 47% 21% 16% 16% Souq al Jumaa 43% 14% 15% 28% Ubari 42% 21% 14% 24% Sabha 37% 11% 27% 25% Abu Salim 35% 16% 18% 31% Tripoli Center 33% 16% 25% 26% Tajoura 33% 19% 24% 24% Elected Appointed officially Appointed unofficially Don't know/No answer Awareness of Council Election/Appointment - Focus groups* Focus group discussions revealed both skepticism and ambivalence about the democratic process for electing municipal council members. “There was some sort of Misrata “I did not register or vote Misrata failure to raise awareness Sabha because I am not convinced about the general about elections: appointing understanding of election people directly is better.” concepts among ordinary - Male, 29, Sabha people.” - Male, 35, Misrata Tripoli Center “We voted for them but I Bayda “Council members are Sabratha have no idea how they selected according to were selected because personal interests and there’s total secrecy connections, and more surrounding the selection importantly the tribe.” process.” - Male, 29, Bayda - Female, 25, Sabratha *Conducted by USAID/OTI Libya Transition Initiative Knowledge of Municipal Council - Survey A majority of respondents did not believe they knew very much, or anything at all, about their municipal council. This is especially the case in Greater Tripoli’s municipalities. How much would you say you know about your municipal council? (n=2,671) By municipality By gender Libya 8% 22% 26% 43% Female 5% 23% 23% 47% Bayda 21% 26% 31% 23% Shahat 17% 25% 26% 29% Misrata 10% 27% 27% 34% Male 11% 23% 26% 38% Gharyan 9% 26% 24% 41% Benghazi 9% 18% 25% 44% By age Ubari 9% 17% 38% 36% 55+ 12% 20% 24% 41% Sabratha 7% 27% 36% 29% Weddan 6% 26% 30% 37% 45-54 10% 25% 25% 38% Tajoura 6% 19% 23% 50% 35-44 9% 22% 25% 43% Sabha 4% 24% 19% 49% Abu Salim 4% 21% 19% 54% 25-34 8% 26% 21% 44% Souq Al Jumaa 4% 20% 26% 49% 18-24 4% 23% 29% 43% Tripoli Center 4% 8% 26% 60% A great deal A fair amount Not very much Nothing at all Don't know/No Answer Knowledge of Municipal Council – Focus groups* The majority of focus group participants felt that they did not know very much about their municipal council. Souq al Jumaa “We heard that the job of Misrata the municipal council is to Sabratha “The municipal council of Sabha provide services to Souq al Jumaa works citizens, but we have not behind closed doors.” seen anything on the - Female,Tajoura 20, Souq Al ground.” Jumaa - Male, 26, Sabha Shahat Tripoli Center Bayda “The municipal council is “I don’t know much about nothing but an entity that Benghazi the municipal council, but I has not efficient role on would like to know more.” the ground.” - Male, 35, Bayda - Male, 27, Benghazi *Conducted by USAID/OTI Libya Transition Initiative Communication & Outreach - Survey In seven of the 13 oversampled municipalities, half of respondents hear from their municipal council at least once every six months. How often do you hear from your municipal council? (n=2,671) Bayda 54% 23% 6% 3% 12% 2% Shahat 46% 17% 3% 10% 23% Sabratha 39% 22% 3% 33% 3% Misrata 29% 26% 5% 6% 31% 3% Gharyan 28% 17% 9% 9% 34% 3% Benghazi 29% 17% 7% 4% 39% 5% Weddan 25% 15% 9% 2% 48% 2% Sabha 21% 18% 3% 7% 50% Abu Salim 14% 16% 5% 3% 60% 2% Ubari 15% 14% 7% 8% 57% Tajoura 17% 9% 7% 6% 56% 5% Souq al Jumaa 9% 17% 7% 6% 55% 5% Tripoli Center 13% 11% 8% 8% 58% 2% At least once a week Once a month Once every two months Once every six months I have never heard from my municipal council Don't know/No answer Communication & Outreach - Survey Only 22 percent of Libyans had heard of public meetings organized by their municipal council. However, only one in five of those who had heard of the public meetings had participated. Additionally, a strong majority of all Libyans would be open to participating in such meetings in the future. Have you heard of public meetings in your municipality? (n=2,671) Libya 22% 78% (707)* (1,964)* Yes No * Total respondents before post weighting Have you ever participated in a public Would you like to participate in a public meeting? (n=707) meeting? (n=2,671) Libya 20% 80% Libya 68% 29% Male 25% 75% Male 73% 24% Female 13% 87% Female 63% 34% Yes No Yes No Don't know/Refused to answer Communication & Outreach - Survey Libyans turn to friends and relatives, Facebook or local television to gain information about their municipal council, largely dependent on their age group.