The Chairman of Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC), Emad Al-Sayeh, held talks in Tripoli with Germany’s Special Envoy to Libya, Christian Buck, to review preparations for the implementation of the third group of municipal elections.
According to HNEC, the meeting highlighted the Commission’s readiness to build on the success achieved in the first and second groups of municipal elections, which were carried out with high levels of transparency and integrity.
Discussions also addressed the main challenges faced during the previous electoral rounds, with both sides exploring ways to transform obstacles into positive factors that can support the process. The talks underlined the crucial role of security and executive institutions in ensuring the smooth conduct of elections and boosting citizen participation.
The future of municipal elections was also reviewed, particularly in relation to legislative requirements that could strengthen principles of good local governance. The Commission presented its technical perspective on the roadmap proposed by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), while raising concerns about its feasibility under the country’s current political climate.
Al-Sayeh and Buck further discussed the Commission’s ability to implement electoral laws issued by the 6+6 Committee, especially the complexities of holding presidential, parliamentary and Senate elections simultaneously. HNEC also raised observations on specific articles of the new legislation, highlighting potential obstacles to full implementation.
The meeting examined the potential for further support through the “PEPOL” project, managed by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with HNEC, which provides technical and logistical assistance for electoral operations.
Concluding the meeting, Al-Sayeh praised Germany’s consistent support for HNEC and stressed the importance of continued partnership in reinforcing Libya’s democratic process and strengthening stability through credible elections.
