Instead, regardless of whether elections or appointments are chosen for the 60-strong Constitution Assembly, that assembly should truly reflect a balanced spectrum of the Libyan nation, with all of its ethnic, geographic, sectoral, religious and other demographic and political groups. Political party presence as a percentage in the assembly should be minimal at best. No sizable opposition should be able to claim that the process was unfair or biased from the start.
3. Bring Everyone Together: Despite the grandiose hopes since February 2011, Egypt’s constitutional referendum witnessed the lowest turnout in any of the many votes since the revolution, was fraught with insufficiently investigated violations, and — at face value — showed increasing national polarization as well. Instead, Libyans should work together to create a true consensus document that can win the approval of at least 70% of the electorate.
Furthermore, a minimum threshold for adoption of the constitution in the referendum, no less than two-thirds of the electorate, should be mandated. A strong, widely trusted and independent body should oversee the referendum, be sufficiently immune from political pressures, make sure that no potential violation is ever left without satisfying investigation. Leave no room for a real conflict surrounding the proceedings and results of the referendum.
4. Less Is More: The U.S. Constitution is the shortest, yet also often the most celebrated Constitution in the world. The United Kingdom does not even have an integral and unified constitutional document. There is no absolute need for a lengthy and ultra-detailed constitution. Focus on the genuine essentials in the constitution, and leave much of the rest for the body of law itself. This way, more contents could be adapted more easily with the passage of time.