Tripoli, 25 September 2013- The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomed the announcement by the High National Elections Commission of the commencement of the process for the Constitution-Drafting Assembly elections.

“Despite huge challenges, Libya continues to make progress on its own transitional roadmap,” Special Representative for the Secretary-General for Libya Tarek Mitri said. “The constitutional drafting process presents an opportunity for the Libyan people to forge a new social contract that will govern the new Libya.”

SRSG Mitri congratulated the High National Elections Commission on the progress made so far in planning for the elections and pledged continued assistance as was the case in last year’s General National Congress elections.

He said the United Nations, through a dedicated Electoral Support Team, continues to provide technical assistance and expert advice to the High National Elections Commission in all areas of their work, and will do so throughout the upcoming electoral period.

The UN in Libya support in the upcoming electoral process will include outreach to potential women candidates; promotion of electoral awareness and knowledge, particularly on issues of voter registration; electoral systems training for the media and; support to security planning for the election itself.