The inaugural forum for parties and elections, coordinated by the Libyan High National Elections Commission (HNEC), in partnership with the Open University of Libya, was conducted this Monday.
This event united Emad Al-Sayeh, Head of HNEC and additional council members, the Secretary-General of the Open University, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Salem, and representatives from a variety of Libyan political parties.
The forum debated the position of political parties within the broad and election-focused Libyan legislation. It probed their effect on “enhancing the democratic process, their role in shaping the quality of the election inputs and outcomes, and how they might assist in boosting voter participation.” The role of party oversight in the election process was also a focal point.
Al-Sayeh accentuated the role of political parties as collaborators with the Commission in backing successful electoral processes. He remarked that “previous elections lacked the effective role that political parties should embody, particularly in the realm of voter awareness and observation. The Commission, no matter how endowed with capabilities, funding, and human resources, cannot fulfil the role of the parties in educating and motivating voters to participate.”
“In preceding elections, voters cast their votes for individuals, not parties. This implies that they did not possess a clear political vision or distinct political programme, which led to the production of weak authorities during the previous elections due to the absence of the role of parties. The parties suffer from legislative problems and the inability to manoeuvre freely in the current political situation. We cannot put the blame solely on the parties as there are many obstacles at the legislative level, in financing, and other related areas,” he added.
Al-Sayeh encouraged the parties to “strive towards altering the societal perception that is marked by mistrust in the parties. He stressed the necessity for them to contribute to the proliferation of electoral culture, democratic awareness, and the culture of peaceful transition of power.”
Representing the Open University of Libya, Dr. Rajab Ashtiba spoke about the role of the university as a scientific institution and beacon of knowledge. One of its most pivotal roles, he stated, is to “support societal participation in elections.” He referred to the university’s efforts in conducting electoral awareness events, supporting the university’s commitment to elections as the sole guarantee for progress, stability, and development.
