Tripoli – The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Acting Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Stephanie Koury, along with the UNDP Resident Representative, Sophie Kemkhadze, participated in the launch of the municipal council elections today at the headquarters of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC).

In her address, attended by the Minister of Local Government, Badr al-Din al-Toumi, HNEC Chairman, Dr. Imad al-Sayah, Italian Ambassador Gianluca Alberini, and various guests, DSRSG Koury described this election round - enabling citizens in 58 municipalities to choose their representatives - as a "significant milestone in Libya's journey toward democracy.” 

“Transparent, inclusive, and credible elections are vital for strengthening the social contract between state institutions and the Libyan people,” said DSRSG Koury stressing that "the successful conduct of municipal elections in Libya showcases the potential for a peaceful transition of power."

After her remarks, DSRSG Koury and UNDP Representative Kemkhadze, along with the HNEC’s guests, inaugurated the Tally Center, which is tasked with verifying and correcting data from polling stations before submitting it to the HNEC Board for announcement. The center, equipped with 400 computers, will employ around 110 data entry personnel during these elections, all under the supervision of accredited observers monitoring every aspect of the electoral process.

The officials then proceeded to the HNEC Central Operations Room, which oversees election-related activities throughout the day. This room monitors 16 sub-operation rooms linked to HNEC field offices, covering 352 polling centers and 777 voting stations across the 58 municipalities involved in this election round. It compiles reports on the opening and closing of polling centers, voter turnout, and other relevant data from the field.

DSRSG Koury and UNDP Representative Kemkhadze, accompanied by the Minister of Local Government, also visited the Zubair Ibn al-Awam polling center in the Qasr Ben Ghashir electoral district. There, they observed the voting process and spoke with monitors, candidate agents, and several women participating in the process as voters, observers, or agents.

The first round of municipal elections was held in 58 municipalities to elect 426 members for four-year terms. A total of 4,829 candidates are competing for the votes of 186,055 registered voters, with 4,829 agents and 1,363 local observers - a quarter of whom are women - overseeing the elections.

DSRSG Koury noted that "the number of registered agents and local observers, along with extensive media coverage, reflects a collective commitment to ensuring that this electoral process is transparent, fair, and credible." She urged "all registered voters, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and cultural components in Libya, to actively participate in this democratic exercise."

HNEC has scheduled the second round of local elections for an additional 58 municipal councils, including some of Libya's largest municipalities, for January 2025.