Abdul Hakim Balkhair, Member of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), announced that all polling centers are prepared for the upcoming municipal elections in Libya. Balkhair confirmed in a press statement that approximately 320 polling centers are ready to receive voters on November 16 across 58 municipalities.
Initially, 60 municipalities were set to participate in the elections; however, two municipalities were excluded following legal appeals.
These upcoming elections mark a significant step in strengthening local governance in Libya, reinforcing the importance of democratic processes at the municipal level.
Notably, 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.