Municipal elections held on Saturday, November 16, in 58 Libyan municipalities marked the completion of the first phase of an electoral process hailed as a success. According to preliminary data announced by the Libyan High National Elections Commission (HNEC), voter turnout reached 74%, with 186,055 registered voters, including 130,000 men and 56,000 women.
During a press conference following the voting operations, the HNEC outlined the key stages of the process. Voter registration took place between June 9 and July 13, followed by the candidacy period from August 18 to September 14. Electoral campaigns ran until November 15, the day before the vote, observing a period of electoral silence.
The election involved 352 polling centers and 777 voting stations across 16 regional offices. Among these, 419 sections were allocated for men and 358 for women. This inclusive process saw the participation of 1,786 candidates grouped into 159 lists, in addition to 545 independent candidates, including 470 men and 17 women.
The smooth conduct of the elections was ensured by approximately 5,000 electoral agents, composed of 63% men and 37% women. Additionally, 1,367 observers, 94 Libyan journalists, 14 international journalists, and 4,831 candidate representatives supervised the process. A robust security arrangement, involving around 24,000 police officers, ensured that no incidents or violations occurred. By 3 PM, voter turnout had reached 50%, eventually peaking at 74% by the close of polling stations, covering 96% of the electoral centers, with final results pending for the remaining stations.
A Significant Step Amid Political Divisions
This election comes in a context marked by a decade of deep political and institutional divisions. The Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdelhamid Dabaiba, urged citizens to actively participate, emphasizing that these local elections are a critical preliminary step toward future legislative and presidential elections. "It is essential for Libyans to carefully choose those who will lead their communities," he stated in a video message.
Similarly, Aguila Saleh, President of the Libyan House of Representatives, expressed confidence in the success of these elections, considering them a beacon of hope for a prosperous future for the Libyan people.
Strong International Support
The international community has been quick to commend this democratic milestone. The Italian Embassy in Libya highlighted its financial support for Libya’s democratic process via Twitter, noting a €4.8 million contribution to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) since 2016, including €850,000 specifically allocated to local elections.
Stephanie Koury, Acting UN Envoy to Libya, also underscored the significance of this municipal vote: "Inclusive, transparent, and credible elections strengthen the social contract between institutions and the people." She encouraged broader participation, particularly among youth, women, and persons with disabilities, to establish the foundation for a peaceful transition of power.
The second phase of municipal elections is already scheduled for January 2025, marking another step toward stability and national unity in a country undergoing reconstruction.
