Libyan MP Abdel Moneim Al-Arfi has stressed that holding credible and legitimate elections in Libya requires a new constitutional amendment and the formation of an independent judicial committee to fully supervise the electoral process.
Speaking during an official session of the Libyan House of Representatives, Al-Arfi said that any path toward trustworthy elections must begin by addressing the outcomes of the so-called 6+6 Committee, warning that procedural fixes without a solid constitutional foundation would expose the process to legal challenges and political disputes.
Constitutional Framework Comes First
Al-Arfi cautioned against rushing to amend procedural outcomes in the absence of a clear and comprehensive constitutional basis. He warned that such steps could create serious constitutional complications that would undermine any political or legal consensus reached.
He emphasized that any electoral roadmap lacking a unifying constitutional amendment would remain vulnerable to doubt, threatening the stability and credibility of the entire electoral process.
Call to Bind the UN Mission to Constitutional Amendments
In a related context, Al-Arfi called for obliging the United Nations Support Mission in Libya to accept the proposed constitutional amendment, stressing that the mission’s role should be to support the will of Libya’s national institutions rather than replace them.
He argued that domestic consensus, when grounded in a constitutional framework, represents the shortest and most effective route to ending Libya’s prolonged transitional phases.
Criticism of the Government of National Unity and the High Council of State
Al-Arfi also sharply criticized the outgoing Government of National Unity, describing it as a “de facto government” operating outside political agreements. He accused it of exerting influence over the High Council of State, a situation he said obstructs genuine political settlement efforts and weakens prospects for comprehensive national consensus.
Concerns Over Voter Registration Fraud
The lawmaker raised serious concerns over revelations by the Libyan Public Prosecution regarding the falsification of national identification numbers. He questioned how elections could be recognized if tens of thousands of fraudulent voter registrations are later uncovered.
Al-Arfi stressed that the integrity of the voter registry is the cornerstone of any democratic process, warning that ignoring such violations would severely undermine public trust.
Demand for Transparency Over Al-Haddad Incident
Al-Arfi also demanded full disclosure regarding the incident involving Mohamed Al-Haddad, calling for clarification of responsibilities and a transparent explanation of what he described as “unusual circumstances” surrounding the incident, in order to uphold accountability and the rule of law.
He concluded by emphasizing that building a credible electoral process in Libya must start with a clear constitutional framework, independent judicial oversight, and genuine political will that places national interests above all else.