Libyan MP warns against politicising election body

A member of Libya’s parliament has cautioned that replacing the leadership of the country’s election authority would be neither quick nor straightforward, warning that the process could undermine the body’s neutrality if handled politically.

Essam Al‑Jehani, a member of the Libyan House of Representatives, said that changing the board of the High National Elections Commission is “not a simple administrative step”.

Speaking to a Libyan television channel, Al-Jehani stressed that preparing new commissioners to manage and oversee elections requires extensive technical training and a considerable period of time, given the complexity of Libya’s electoral process.

He also warned that the commission is already facing mounting pressures, adding that any attempt to politicise its work would erode its impartiality and credibility.

Al-Jehani’s remarks come amid ongoing debate over the future of Libya’s electoral institutions, at a time when the country continues to struggle to reach consensus on a clear and unified roadmap towards national elections.