Spokesman for the Libyan Parliament, Abdullah Blaiheg said that it is impossible to hold the Presidential elections on their scheduled date of 24 December. He confirmed that the Parliament will soon discuss a report issued by the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), on the obstacles and that led to delay.
Blaiheg said in a press statement that postponing the elections “has become a new reality and not an option.”
“We are waiting to review the commission’s report to determine the current status of the elections,” he noted.
Although eight days remain until the elections, the electoral map is still unclear. So far, HNEC has not announced the final lists of candidates for either the Presidential or Parliamentary elections.
“It is not possible to hold elections within eight days… How will the final lists of candidates for the Presidential elections be announced? When will the doors open for election campaigns?” he said.
Blaiheg explained that the Parliamentary committee concerned with communicating with HNEC, had received a report from the commission regarding the obstacles and difficulties it is facing. He added that the report will be submitted to Parliament to discuss the findings.
The Spokesman called on HNEC to “clearly and frankly inform the Libyan people about these obstacles, provide possible solutions to the new situation, and set a new date for the elections.”
Notably, Italy’s Nova news agency reported that the postponement of the Libyan Presidential elections will be announced on Monday. It noted that the Libyan Parliament is planning to appoint a new “technocratic” government to lead the country until the new election date.
According to Nova, the Libyan Parliament will announce the postponement until the end of January or February.
Meanwhile, the mediating role between all parties will be assumed by Stephanie Williams, the Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General (SASG) for Libya. Williams will arrive in eastern Libya on Friday for a two-day visit, after she conducted a series of meetings in Tripoli, Misrata, and Sirte.