TRIPOLI - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomes the High National Elections Commission’s (HNEC) announcement of the preliminary results for 26 municipalities in the Western region. The Mission calls on all parties to peacefully accept the outcome of the voting and to resort to judicial mechanisms in case of any objections.

UNSMIL also welcomes the polling happening today in seven municipalities, following the deplorable arson attack on the HNEC warehouse in Zawiyah field office last week. The Mission encourages all registered voters to actively participate in the selection of their representatives and cast their vote today in Zawiyah Markaz, Zawiyah Wassat, Zawiyah Gharb, Zawiyah Chamal, Sabrata, Sormane, and Bir Ghnam.

UNSMIL reiterates its call to the HoR-appointed government to remove obstructions and urgently allow the continuation of the elections in the municipalities where the process was suspended, so that all Libyan citizens can exercise their political rights and participate in shaping their local governance. The holding of elections enables the building of trust and accountability between the citizens and local leaders.