Libya’s Higher National Elections Commission (HNEC) has confirmed its readiness to conduct simultaneous elections for all municipal councils, across the country. This confirmation follows the issuance of Law No. 20 of 2023 by the Parliament, amending Law No. 8 of 2013 concerning the establishment of HNEC.
The amendment transfers the authority for municipal council elections from the executive authority, represented by the Ministry of Local Governance, to HNEC, which is the highest electoral authority based on the provisions of the Temporary Constitutional Declaration issued on 3 August 2011, and its amendments.
According to HNEC, the first article of the mentioned law acknowledges that the Commission “is the sole and responsible entity for implementing general elections and electing provincial and municipal councils. It is tasked with their preparation and supervision. Furthermore, Article 2 empowers the Commission to formulate and issue the executive regulations for electing provincial and municipal councils, in accordance with Law No. 59 of 2012 concerning the local administration system.”
The Commission indicated that it will “work in the coming period to issue the executive regulations to implement the law, in preparation for conducting simultaneous elections for all municipal councils across different regions of the country.”
The Commission has pledged to do its utmost, utilizing its capabilities and expertise, to successfully carry out this national endeavour. The elections are expected to further establish the foundations of stability, enhance citizens’ trust in local administration officials, and contribute positively to their independence. Additionally, it is anticipated that the elections will elevate the level of services provided by the local administrations.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader, Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down. In response, the country’s eastern-based Parliament appointed a rival government, which has for months sought to install itself in Tripoli.
