The Libyan High National Election Commission’s (HNEC) chairman, Emad Al-Sayeh, hosted a meeting with Canadian Ambassador to Libya, Isabelle Savard, along with commission member Rabab Halb and a delegation, at the commission’s headquarters. The meeting focused on the international community’s support for Libyan elections and the commission’s preparedness for municipal council elections. The discussion also explored potential assistance and expertise in election management.
Ambassador Savard expressed Canada’s continued support for the HNEC’s efforts toward conducting free and credible elections, commending the progress made in adhering to international standards.
The article also reports on Abdelmonem Al-Arfi, a Libyan House of Representatives member, urging the UN Security Council to consider sanctions against Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbaiba for allegedly hindering the electoral process. This statement followed a meeting aimed at government formation and electoral law implementation, which saw an abrupt cancellation of a planned session in Tunisia, with Al-Arfi suggesting external efforts to derail the meeting. Attempts to reschedule are ongoing.
Al-Arfi accused Dbaiba of leveraging militias to maintain power, alleging manipulation to prolong his tenure amidst Libya’s continued political fragmentation since Moammar Gaddafi’s 2011 ouster. Despite a ceasefire, the country grapples with security challenges, including sporadic conflicts and the presence of foreign mercenaries, as it seeks military unification and foreign forces’ withdrawal. The delay of elections originally slated for December 2021, due to disagreements over electoral rules and candidate qualifications, underscores the complexities of Libya’s political landscape.
