Libyan Elections Postponed: UN Envoy Highlights Challenges and Future Steps

Libya’s presidential and parliamentary elections have been postponed, with a new date expected in 30 days. UN envoy Stephanie Williams emphasized the Libyan people’s desire for elections while addressing challenges faced by the electoral process. Both Williams and UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the importance of conducting elections under suitable conditions to facilitate a peaceful transition of power.

The United Nations envoy for Libya, Special Advisor Stephanie Williams, announced the postponement of the presidential and parliamentary elections during her visit focused on facilitating intra-Libyan dialogues. Williams, who arrived on December 12, emphasized the Libyan people’s strong desire to hold elections as a means to conclude the prolonged transitional period. She stated, “elections must be part of the solution and not part of the problem in Libya.”

The High National Elections Commission declared it could not meet the December 24 election date due to issues with electoral legislation and candidate eligibility challenges. They requested that the House of Representatives set a new date within 30 days for the first round of the presidential election and urged measures to ensure the electoral process continues smoothly.

Williams expressed her readiness to mediate and offer support to Libyan institutions facing challenges, urging all parties to respect the will of the 2.8 million registered voters in the country. She cautioned against using current electoral challenges to destabilize the progress Libya has made in the past 15 months, emphasizing the need to foster a conducive environment for free and fair elections.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed Williams’ views, affirming the necessity for elections to occur under suitable conditions to facilitate a peaceful transition of power. He indicated that Williams will continue to assist in a Libyan-led process to resolve remaining issues related to the elections.

In her efforts beyond elections, Williams engaged with numerous individuals across the country to promote mediation and collaboration with both local and international stakeholders. She noted “tangible progress” since the signing of the UN-facilitated ceasefire and the adoption of the Political Dialogue Forum Roadmap.

Traveling along the coastal route between Misrata and Sirte, she witnessed a shift from conflict discourse to dialogue, highlighting the reopening of pathways and resumed flights. Despite ongoing hardships, many Libyans reported regaining a sense of normalcy, exemplifying resilience in overcoming recent adversities, as they reconnect with family members after years of separation.

The postponement of the Libyan elections underscores ongoing electoral challenges amidst a backdrop of political transition. The UN envoy’s commitment to support a Libyan-led process reflects an international effort to stabilize the nation. Ultimately, the focus remains on facilitating free and fair elections to ensure the will of the Libyan populace is honored, marking a significant step towards achieving lasting peace and democratic governance in Libya.

Original Source: news.un.org