UN mission to Libya reiterates support for electoral commission
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) reiterated its support for the country’s electoral commission following the conclusion of municipal elections, according to Algerian government-friendly AL24 on October 20th.
Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC) recently announced the closure of voting and the commencement of ballot counting for the third round of municipal elections, with a documented voter turnout of 68 percent.
Following this successful completion of 16 municipal council elections, which had previously been delayed due to security concerns, UNSMIL commended HNEC for reaching the milestone.
In a statement, the mission reaffirmed its “continued support for inclusive and credible elections that reflect the will of the Libyan people and strengthen the foundations of democratic governance”, according to the UNSMIL website on October 18th.
It added that its backing of HNEC “falls within the framework of ongoing efforts to consolidate citizens’ trust in national institutions” as a preliminary step towards eventual national elections.
UNSMIL also praised local security officers for creating a calm and safe environment that facilitated the completion of the process in an “orderly and secure” manner.
The first phase of municipal elections 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.
Libya’s road to democracy has been extremely turbulent. National elections were initially scheduled to be held in 2021, but the plans were derailed thanks to a lack of consensus over electoral laws.
Moreover, during an October 14th Security Council session, UNSMIL chief Hanna Tetteh lamented the inability of Libya’s rival factions to follow a transitional roadmap that seeks to establish a “credible and transparent electoral framework” that would oversee the democratic establishment of a “single unified government.”
Despite past hurdles, it is clear that UNSMIL is cautiously optimistic about the prospect of an eventual civilian-led Libyan government. The mission stated that for such a future to come to fruition, the transitional process “requires sustained technical and institutional support.”
Al24, UNSMIL, Maghrebi.org
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