The High National Election Commission (HNEC) announced that the number of registered voters for the municipal elections has surpassed 168,928. According to HNEC data, the number of registered male voters is 123,687, while the number of registered female voters is 45,237 across the country.
The “Ataa Al-Khair” and “Fazzan National Gathering” organizations in the southern region organized several awareness activities related to municipal elections in the municipalities of Taraghin, Zuwaila, Murzuq, Maafen, and the Samnu district, as reported by HNEC.
The HNEC stated that the awareness activities target voters in the aforementioned municipalities to encourage them to register for the upcoming municipal elections in 60 municipalities across Libya.
The HNEC emphasized that these awareness activities focus significantly on women, encouraging them to exercise their right to register and participate in the electoral process.
The commission noted that organizations have distributed numerous pamphlets explaining how to register in the voter registry. These efforts aim to strengthen cooperation between the commission and civil society organizations under the “Partners for Elections” program to raise awareness about the importance of voter registration.
The HNEC has extended the voter registration process for municipal council elections until July 13th, which is tomorrow, Saturday.
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.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.