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Libyans go to the polls on Wednesday in the hope of ending the anarchy that has gripped the country since the 2011 overthrow of the Gaddafi regime, the BBC reported. 

A new 200-seat parliament will be elected in the second poll since the former regime's overthrow.

The UN has described the poll as "an important step in Libya's transition towards stable democratic governance."

The election was called a month ago amid government claims that a renegade general was plotting a coup.

General Khalifa Haftar denied the allegation, but launched a military offensive against Islamist militias whom he accused of holding Libya to ransom.

At least 70 people were killed in the ensuing battles. Gunmen also stormed the parliamentary building in the capital, Tripoli.

More than 1.5 million voters have registered for the election, compared with 2.8 million who registered for Libya's first election in 2012, Reuters news agency reports.

Nearly 2,000 candidates are vying for seats in the new parliament, which will be called the House of Representatives.

Secular parties won elections in 2012, but there are no party lists in this election.

Instead, candidates are contesting parliamentary seats as individuals - a decision taken to reduce tensions.