On Sunday, Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC) announced that more than 457,450 Libyans registered to vote in the second phase of the country’s municipal council elections.
This phase will cover 62 municipalities across the country and is part of a broader effort to revive local governance and promote democratic participation at the grassroots level.
According to official figures released by the Commission on March 29, 2025, the total number of registered male voters reached 322,317, while female voter registration stood at 135,133.
The data reflects a continuing rise in public interest in the municipal electoral process, especially following the extension of the voter registration period earlier this month.
On March 13, the HNEC extended the deadline for voter registration in the second group of municipalities until April 6, 2025, to allow more eligible citizens to participate.
Registration is being conducted through a simple and accessible method: citizens can register by sending a text message containing their national ID number and the code of their preferred polling center to the short code 17017.
The municipal elections are seen as a crucial step toward restoring local authority and public services in Libya, especially as the country continues to face political division, fragile institutions, and growing demands for inclusive governance. Strong participation at the local level is viewed by observers as essential for strengthening democratic structures and improving trust between citizens and local institutions.
The first phase of municipal elections was held earlier this year and saw a mixture of enthusiasm and challenges, including concerns about candidate exclusions and voter intimidation in some areas.
The Commission has encouraged all eligible voters who have not yet registered to do so before the deadline. Officials stress that inclusive participation in the elections is a key opportunity for citizens to shape the future of their communities and ensure that local councils are truly representative of the people they serve.
