The United Nations Support Mission in Libya condemns, in the strongest terms, the armed attack by unknown assailants that took place in the early hours of 12 August against the office of the High National Elections Commission in Zliten, reportedly damaging property and injuring two individuals. Such acts seek to intimidate voters, candidates and electoral staff, and to prevent them from exercising their political rights to participate in the elections and the democratic process.

This unacceptable attempt to interfere with the ongoing electoral process must be investigated, and perpetrators held fully accountable.

Amidst reports of the potential suspension of elections due to the lack of security arrangements for the municipalities scheduled to have polling on Saturday, 16 August, UNSMIL calls on all relevant security institutions, in coordination with local leaders, to ensure a conducive environment for the free and orderly conduct of these elections.

UNSMIL reiterates its concerns about and equally condemns the suspension last month of the electoral process in numerous municipalities, including some of Libya’s biggest, such as Benghazi, Tobruk, Sabha, and Sirte as a result of decisions by the Ministry of Interior of the House of Representatives-appointed Government. All these events disrupt efforts to build responsible local governance and deprive citizens of their right to choose their local representatives in municipal elections in contradiction to Security Council resolution 2755 (2024). UNSMIL urges all relevant authorities to engage positively and enable the swift resumption of the electoral process as soon as possible.