Voting in 16 Libyan municipal elections concludes
As the voting process for 16 Libyan municipal council elections has concluded, ballot counting has commenced, according to Anadolu on October 19th
The High National Elections Commission (HNEC) revealed on October 18th that, within all the municipalities holding elections, voter turnout stood at 68 percent as 63,169 citizens showed up.
HNEC also stated that “the electoral process proceeded in an orderly and secure manner across the targeted municipalities, with polling centres adhering to approved procedures and productive cooperation among supporting institutions.”
It also confirmed that the reconciliation, sorting, and counting process is being closely monitored to ensure accuracy and to deter political interference.
Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, welcomed the resumption of municipal elections, asserting that they prove that Libyans “can practice democracy efficiently.”
He continued his optimistic tone by emphasising that sustaining the very same conditions that facilitated the local elections will “allow for national elections without a new transitional phase.”
National elections in Libya have been extensively delayed thanks to a UN-led transitional process derailed by a lack of consensus over electoral laws.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which was established after Libya’s governance was split in the wake of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow in 2011, welcomed the resumption of local elections.
The recognition of positive electoral progress comes just after USMIL chief Hanna Tetteh expressed frustration to the UN Security Council over Libya’s stalling transitional process.
This most recent voting process composed the third phase of Libya’s municipal elections. The first took place on November 16th, 2024, and covered 58 out of Libya’s 143 municipalities.
The second phase was carried out on the 16th and 23rd of August and involved 33 councils out of an intended 49. The extra 16, which have just been completed, were delayed due to security concerns. The remaining municipalities are scheduled to hold elections on October 20th.
Anadolu, Maghrebi.org
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