Security issues hamper election reruns in multiple Libyan districts

TRIPOLI, Libya, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Voters were blocked from casting ballots Thursday at a number of polling places because of security issues, Libya's elections commissioner said.

High National Elections Commission Nuri Elabbar said safety in at least 17 locations couldn't be assured and that militants prevented paper ballots from being delivered in other locations, the Libya Herald reported.

"The 13 polling centers in Derna did open at all today [Thursday] for security reasons, although the electoral materials were provided," Omar Elhashmi Mohammed, an elections commission manager, told the Libya Herald.

Protesters closed several polling places, election officials said. Several voting sites were closed after electoral materials were stolen.