Libya: Electoral Readiness Between Popular Pressure and Political Obstacles

The political trajectory in Libya faces a critical juncture following the High National Election Commission (HNEC)’s announcement of its technical readiness to hold presidential and parliamentary elections, reopening the debate about the possibility of ending the ongoing state of deadlock and division. The HNEC believes that overcoming the obstacles now rests with the political parties, which must secure the necessary legislative, security, and financial frameworks.
Conversely, accusations are escalating from popular and political circles that influential powers and the UN mission are prolonging the crisis and preventing Libyans from reaching the ballot boxes. Recent movements indicate that the country is heading into a phase of intense political tug-of-war that may determine its future course: either restoring legitimacy through elections or sinking into further division.
Libya has witnessed intensified popular and political activity in recent days, demanding the holding of presidential elections to end the years-long stalemate. This is evidenced by the growing calls for civil sit-ins and widespread protests.
The “Homeland Movement” continues its pressure, announcing the continuation of civil sit-ins and peaceful demonstrations in Kish Square. The Movement sent an official letter to the Benghazi Comptroller of Education, demanding that educational institutions be notified to suspend studies until the people’s demand is met. The Movement stressed that civil disobedience is a civilized means to end political deadlock and restore legitimacy, emphasizing that the role of elites and scholars is a “pillar in protecting the nation from chaos.”
The Mayor of Ajdabiya, Ali Bouhliga, called for speeding up the presidential elections to end the “absurdity and chaos” and provide a secure and stable state. He warned that the persistence of a political vacuum has led to escalating corruption and the plundering of the nation’s resources. Meanwhile, the former head of the National Security Committee at the General National Congress, Abdul Moneim Al-Yassir, argued that elections will only take place through widespread public pressure involving “daily protests and the disruption of movement in various cities and villages,” affirming that current political bodies do not wish to transfer power to the people.
HNEC Readiness and Criticism of the UN Mission
The High National Election Commission announced its full readiness to hold presidential and parliamentary elections by mid-April 2026, following the completion of municipal elections. However, it conditioned this on the fulfillment of fundamental requirements:
– Provision of funding and security.
– Agreement on a mechanism to support the electoral process, given the existence of two governments.
The HNEC stressed its independence, calling on the UN mission to focus on resolving disagreements related to the electoral laws issued by the 6+6 Committee, cautioning against involvement in paths that increase complexity without addressing the root of the problem.
House of Representatives (HoR) member Ali Al-Soul affirmed the Council’s welcome of elections after the executive authority is unified, but accused the UN mission of obstructing the HNEC’s readiness declaration, indicating that the mission requires restructuring the HNEC’s board of directors and amending the agreed-upon laws.
HoR member Saeed Emghaib warned that the continued existence of the Government of National Unity “increases the difficulty” of achieving a suitable electoral environment, noting that the HNEC’s conditions are “unimplementable” under the armed groups’ control over Tripoli. He deemed the dispute over the 6+6 Committee laws “illogical” as they resulted from local and international consensus.
Member of the High Council of State, Saad Bin Sherada, pointed out that Libya has been experiencing a continuous series of divisions since 2012, and while the presidential election is not the final solution, it is “the most crucial step to restore legitimacy.” He stressed that Libyans now face the sole option of “not repeating past mistakes.”
🔎 Political, Legislative, and Logistical Challenges
The former Director-General of the HNEC, Saeed Al-Qasabi, confirmed that the HNEC is “always ready,” but cautioned that technical readiness does not equate to the readiness of the street, indicating that political tensions have created security and logistical challenges. He emphasized the necessity of full coordination between the House of Representatives and the HNEC to ensure the issuance of applicable laws, as current laws are often issued “flawed and difficult to implement.”
Absence of Basic Requirements: Political analyst Mahmoud Al-Ramli believes current indicators reflect the absence of the necessary legislative, political, and financial prerequisites for elections, stating that the current laws require fundamental amendments and that funding is “unstable.”
Political Embarrassment: Researcher Ramadan Maaiteeq clarified that the HNEC’s readiness declaration relieves it of embarrassment but places “political embarrassment” on the parties now required to present workable solutions.
Analyst Salah Al-Din Al-Abbar noted that the main problem lies in the lack of consensus among political bodies despite the HNEC’s technical readiness, explaining that the 6+6 laws did not gain comprehensive acceptance from all parties, including certain currents and extremist groups “who do not believe in democracy,” which further complicated a situation he described as “illogical and unworkable.”
With escalating public pressure and the HNEC confirming its technical readiness, the Libyan scene stands at a watershed moment. The path to elections is no longer governed by technical capability as much as it is contingent upon political consensus and achieving the minimum security and financial conditions requested by the HNEC.