Libya will hold rare municipal elections on Saturday, seen as a key test of its fragile democratic process against a backdrop of political division and insecurity. The vote will largely take place in western municipalities, with major eastern cities such as Benghazi, Sirte, and Tobruk opting out after their local authorities rejected the process — a stark reminder of the deep rifts between the country’s rival administrations.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has described the elections as “essential to uphold democratic governance” but warned that recent violence could undermine their credibility. Earlier this week, armed men stormed the electoral commission’s office in Zliten, east of Tripoli, injuring several people. UNSMIL condemned the attack as a deliberate attempt to intimidate voters, candidates, and electoral workers.
Around 380,000 registered voters, mostly in the west, are expected to cast their ballots. The High National Elections Commission had initially planned polls in 63 municipalities nationwide but suspended voting in 11 constituencies in the east and south, citing irregularities, administrative problems, and local pressure. In parts of western Libya, including areas near Tripoli, voting was postponed over delays in distributing voter cards.
Many Libyans hope the polls will boost local accountability. “Libyans need to vote and have the freedom to choose without fear,” said Esraa Abdelmonem, a 36-year-old mother of three, noting that the outcome in areas hit by recent clashes will be closely watched.
Khaled al-Montasser, a Tripoli-based professor of international relations, called the elections “decisive,” arguing they will reveal whether rival factions are ready to accept leaders chosen through the ballot box rather than imposed through force or intimidation.
Libya has remained politically fractured since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi. Power is still split between the Tripoli-based, UN-recognised government of Abdulhamid Dbeibah and the eastern administration aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar.
While some municipal elections were held between 2019 and 2021, Libya’s last nationwide legislative vote took place in 2014 and was marred by violence and low turnout. National elections scheduled for December 2021 were indefinitely postponed amid disputes between the rival governments, leaving the country’s political future unresolved.
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