98 mayors and heads of municipal and steering councils from cities and regions across eastern, southern, and western Libya have expressed their support for the call by the Head of the Libyan High National Elections Commission (HNEC), Emad Al-Sayeh, to hold municipal council elections as scheduled.
This collective endorsement underscores the importance of adhering to the electoral timeline to ensure the continuity of local governance and the democratic process in Libya.
Al-Sayeh had previously emphasised the necessity of conducting municipal elections within the established timeframe to maintain stability and uphold the principles of democracy at the local level.
The unified stance of these local leaders reflects a shared commitment to democratic practices and the timely execution of electoral processes, which are vital for the development and stability of Libyan municipalities.
On Wednesday, Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC) chairman, Emad Al-Sayah, met with Egyptian Ambassador Tamer El-Hefny to discuss Libya’s readiness for its first round of municipal council elections.
The meeting, held at HNEC’s headquarters in Tripoli, focused on preparing for the elections scheduled for November 16 and exploring ways Egypt could support Libya’s electoral process. Ambassador El-Hefny expressed Egypt’s appreciation for the HNEC’s efforts to ensure smooth elections and praised Libya’s progress toward local governance.
The elections will take place across 60 municipalities, with polls open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, as per HNEC’s official Resolution No. 121. The first phase of elections will cover 17 municipalities in the south, 31 in the west, and 12 in the east. Over 210,545 citizens have registered to vote in this initial round, exceeding expectations and signaling strong public interest in local governance.
Libya’s municipal councils, established after the 2011 revolution, have been instrumental in managing community services and fostering local development. By strengthening local governance, Libya aims to create a foundation for stability and progress. These upcoming elections represent a crucial step in Libya’s commitment to decentralized governance, empowering communities to participate directly in decision-making.
Al-Sayah emphasized the importance of conducting a transparent electoral process to foster public trust and international support. Neighboring countries like Egypt play a vital role in Libya’s stability, and Egypt’s support reflects its commitment to seeing Libya move forward with democratic structures. El-Hefny’s visit also underscored the significance of strong diplomatic ties between the two nations, recognizing that a stable Libya benefits regional security and economic cooperation.
The HNEC is taking measures to ensure transparent and secure elections by implementing clear processes, preparing voting sites, and safeguarding election materials. Libya’s focus on transparent municipal elections underscores its broader vision of sustainable governance and long-term stability.
