A total of 141 candidates contested the election, most of whom ran as independents.[1] There were two opposing groups; one supportive of Prime Minister Mahmud al-Muntasir, and one led by the Congress Party headed by Beshir Bey Sadawi.[4] The Congress Party was largely focussed on opposition to foreign influence in Libya, despite receiving financial support from Egypt.[4] It also claimed that voting for pro-government candidates would lead to voters effectively excommunicating themselves from the Islamic faith.[2] The Prime Minister called on voters to elect the candidate most likely to help implement the government's 19-point programme.[4]