The Libyan Parliament has submitted the draft electoral laws to the 6+6 Joint Committee. This move aims to reconsider certain clauses based on feedback from its members.
This decision was taken during a closed-door session held by the Parliament on Tuesday, in Benghazi.
Several weeks ago, the 6+6 Committee reported a complete consensus regarding points related to the Presidential and Parliamentary elections. It approved that both elections would proceed simultaneously. Furthermore, the upcoming legislative authority, also known as the Council of the Nation, will consist of two chambers: the Parliament and the Senate. The committee noted that “drafting and adjusting the specific legislations for this would require some time.”
Concerning the Presidential election law, the committee agreed to allow dual nationals to participate in the first round of the race. However, candidates would need to provide evidence of renouncing their foreign nationality, to enter the second round. For military personnel, the draft law states that a candidate is considered to have resigned from their position “by law, upon the acceptance of their candidacy, whether civilian or military.” Additionally, candidates must not have a final felony conviction.
However, the Parliament had reservations about certain aspects, and requested modifications. Among these is Article 12, which stipulates that “the {residential elections are to be conducted in two rounds, with the top two candidates from the first round qualifying for the second, regardless of the vote percentage they achieved.” The Parliament also called for assurances that military personnel can return to their positions, if they do not win the elections.
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.
