On Wednesday, Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC) proposed postponing the first round of the national elections to 24 January, a month from their scheduled date.
The commission said in a press statement that it is proposing this in coordination with the Libyan Parliament.
“The Libyan Parliament shall take measures to remove the ‘force Majeure that confronts the completion of the electoral process,” HNEC added.
It also defended its decisions, claiming h that they were “correct” by excluding a number of candidates who did not meet the conditions.
“We would like to stress that we have not abdicated our responsibilities, and we have accomplished what we have set out to do,” it added.
HNEC affirmed the impartiality and independence of the commission, saying there are “campaigns of confusion and misinformation being hatched against it, aimed at obstructing the elections.”
Earlier today, the committee formed by the Libyan Parliament to follow up the electoral process, concluded that it is “impossible” to hold the Presidential elections on 24 December.
The Head of the committee, Al-Hadi Al-Saghir wrote a letter to Parliament Speaker, Ageela Saleh stressing that the committee reached this conclusion “after reviewing the technical, security and judicial reports.” He asked Saleh to return to his previous position and preside over the upcoming Parliamentary sessions.
The committee called for the development of a new road map, “in line with the data resulting from the obstruction of the elections.” It also stressed the end of the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) mandate as a caretaker government.
Notably, Libyan MP, Ali Al-Tekbali said that the Parliament is ready to remove the GNU headed by Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, and form a new national government.
Al-Tekbali said in press statements that the GNU’s mandate ends on 24 December, and it is not “legally” entitled to remain after that date.
The opposition MP pointed out that all existing bodies do not have the right to continue their work after the 24 December deadline. He called for “real” national reconciliation after the departure of the government and the appointment of a new one.
He also indicated that the PM may refuse to hand over power, “this is very possible, especially as he relies on militias to keep him in power.”