Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC) has announced its readiness to begin organising presidential and parliamentary elections in mid-April 2026, provided that financial requirements, security arrangements, and a clear mechanism for managing and supervising the process are agreed upon by the relevant authorities amid the presence of two governments.
In a statement issued on Sunday in response to growing public calls for elections, the Commission emphasized that it is performing its constitutional mandate to oversee the electoral process in all its stages. It stressed that this role is rooted in state sovereignty and grounded in laws and decisions issued by Libya’s legitimate institutions.
The Commission reaffirmed its independence and neutrality, saying these principles are essential to gaining the trust of citizens and political actors across the spectrum. It added that its work aims to ensure Libyans can freely and transparently choose their representatives through credible elections.
The HNEC called on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to focus on resolving the core dispute surrounding the amendments to the electoral laws issued by the 6+6 Joint Committee. It urged the mission to help reach an immediate settlement and refer the finalised laws to the Commission without delay, enabling it to issue the necessary regulations and technical procedures ahead of the launch of the electoral process. The Commission warned against being drawn into efforts that would prolong the current political stagnation or deepen the country’s institutional paralysis.
The statement stressed that any decision to change the current political landscape must be “purely Libyan” and free from international agendas, external pressures, or regional interests. It placed responsibility on the House of Representatives and the High Council of State to act decisively “before God and the Libyan people” to save the country from plots aimed at prolonging division.
The Commission concluded by affirming its commitment to leading the path toward change despite obstacles, reiterating that elections and the return to the ballot box remain the only way to end division and restore full legitimacy to Libya’s institutions.
