On Tuesday, Libya’s High Council of State (HCS), adopted a strategic plan for the country’s future elections. This plan stipulates that voting should take place 240 days after the endorsement of electoral laws, according to a local lawmaker.
According to HCS member, Suleiman Bilal, the council’s strategy also calls for the formation of a consolidated government, tasked with overseeing the election procedures. “The timeline calls for the elections to be held 240 days after the enactment of the electoral laws,” he added.
However, Bilal expressed his disappointment over the inability of the Libyan Parliament to give its consent to the roadmap. He said, “It’s clear that the Parliament is currently incapable of fulfilling its duties during this critical period.”
Libya was due to hold elections in December 2021. However, due to disagreements over candidate eligibility, and other related matters among the political adversaries, the elections were postponed indefinitely.
A month ago, the 6+6 Joint Committee, created by Libya’s Parliament and HCS revealed a consensus on the laws required for conducting the elections.
Despite the consensus, a number of members from both chambers expressed their disagreement with the committee’s decisions.
Libya has been enduring a prolonged period of political instability and conflict since the overthrow of its long-serving leader, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011. The ousting, part of the broader Arab Spring protests, was facilitated by NATO’s intervention. Despite the optimism that followed Gaddafi’s removal, the country soon descended into chaos and civil war, with various armed groups vying for power.
The turmoil in Libya has had severe consequences, both domestically and internationally. Inside the country, there has been a considerable loss of life and a massive displacement of people. Economically, Libya’s oil industry, a crucial part of its economy, has been heavily disrupted. Internationally, the chaos has contributed to a surge in migration across the Mediterranean towards Europe.
