The United Nations (UN) Special envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily highlighted a slew of disagreements jeopardizing the Libyan electoral process during a briefing given to the International Security Council on Monday.
Bathily indicated that numerous disputes among Libyan parties will persistently plague the electoral process. He emphasized the need for a political settlement among major political factions to alleviate these conflicts.
The UN diplomat stressed that the proposed electoral laws agreed by a committee of two legislative bodies this month are not sufficient to resolve the most contested issues and enable successful elections.
He added that failure to reach an agreement among Libya’s rival sides could “trigger a new crisis”.
The UN envoy indicated that all these disputed subjects necessitate political consensus amongst representatives across the political landscape. Without a comprehensive agreement, Bathily cautioned, the electoral process could encounter a stalemate akin to the 2021 elections, instigating yet another crisis.
The UN envoy called upon the Security Council to exert greater pressure on the implicated political parties to overcome these disputes and steer the country towards elections. He further appealed to Libyan leaders to prioritize the well-being of the Libyan citizens above all.
It’s noteworthy that the United Nations previously announced that the political trajectory in Libya has reached a critical juncture.
They stated that a successful election depends on a robust legal framework and a political agreement ensuring the active involvement of all political factions. The UN urged the major stakeholders to forge a comprehensive and final agreement on disputed subjects, enabling the successful execution of elections and the ushering of the country into a phase of stability.
As of now, the future of elections in Libya remains shrouded in uncertainty. Political factions have opposed the 6+6 committee’s agreement on the laws governing the presidential and parliamentary elections and the eligibility conditions for presidential candidates, topics that have always been contentious. Amendments to several disputed laws have also been called for.
