Can Libya’s municipal elections revive hopes for national polls?

Libya has entered the third phase of municipal elections, drawing significant interest from voters keen to return to the ballot box after years of stalled national elections.

The process, which continues across multiple municipalities, has revived public debate over whether these local contests can pave the way for long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections, or whether they merely serve as a limited test of institutional capacity.

National elections remain delayed

Since December 2021, Libya has been unable to hold national elections due to political disputes over electoral laws, candidacy criteria and the overall framework needed to conduct a unified vote. These disagreements have repeatedly postponed the process and deepened public frustration.

Municipal elections seen as a first indicator

The High National Elections Commission (HNEC) has reported generally positive outcomes during the first two phases of municipal elections, noting improvements in voter card distribution, preparations inside polling centres and adherence to scheduled timelines.

HNEC has emphasised that it is running the process with a “national will and without political interference”, in coordination with the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Interior to ensure adequate technical and administrative support.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has welcomed the municipal elections, describing them as a step towards transparency and greater community participation.

A decade of evolving local governance

Libya’s journey toward establishing local governance has been shaped by political and security challenges.

– Municipal structures were first established by law in 2012.

– Initial pilot elections were held in four municipalities in 2013.

– In 2014, the process expanded significantly with elections in 91 municipalities.

Between 2018 and 2023, elections were held intermittently as councils completed their terms, though Libya’s institutional division resulted in uneven implementation.

In 2024 and 2025, municipal elections were organised in coordinated stages across the country, reflecting an attempt to unify the electoral process.

Experts: progress, but still fragile

Dr Abdelmonem Hussein Al-Yaseer — a former member of Libya’s General National Congress and former head of its National Security Committee — says the current municipal elections demonstrate that Libyans remain committed to the electoral process. However, he argues that they remain insufficient as an indicator of improved political conditions unless accompanied by stronger security arrangements, effective ceasefire implementation and the clear separation of armed actors from election procedures.

According to turnout data released by HNEC:

– the first group of municipalities recorded 74% participation,

– the second 72.41%,

– and the third 68%.

Challenges continue on the ground

Despite overall progress, several obstacles have been reported, including delays in the delivery of election materials, late opening of some polling stations due to security concerns or weak infrastructure, low female participation in some areas and local disputes over candidacies and campaigning.

HNEC has increased coordination with security agencies to ensure safe and transparent voting conditions.

In several municipalities in eastern and southern Libya, as well as parts of the west, the electoral process was temporarily halted due to security breaches or political tensions before eventually resuming.

Structural concerns within municipalities

Dr Raqi Al-Mesmari, a law professor at Omar Al-Mukhtar University, argues that Libya’s growing number of municipalities — now more than 150 — has entrenched administrative divisions along regional and tribal lines. He believes this structure “does not necessarily reflect democratic development”.

He adds that tribal loyalties continue to influence voting behaviour, contributing to low turnout and, in some cases, minimal voter registration.

He also maintains that Libya’s main problems are “security-related rather than political”, citing the lack of effective enforcement of laws and the widespread presence of weapons.

A test of neutrality before national elections

Al-Yaseer says municipal elections should be viewed as a test of institutional neutrality, especially within the security services. He highlights significant challenges still facing national elections, including the influence of armed groups, conflicting legal frameworks, institutional fragmentation, politicised oversight and logistical weaknesses.

He proposes a series of steps, including activation of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission’s security arrangements, reinforcement of the ceasefire, adoption of unified electoral laws, a binding electoral timetable, a code of conduct for candidates and the involvement of Arab, African and UN observers, supported by sanctions against individuals who obstruct the electoral process.

A cautious step forward

While municipal elections provide a useful operational and logistical rehearsal, experts agree they are not sufficient on their own to guarantee successful national elections.

Larger polls will require neutral security forces, properly protected polling centres and clear mechanisms for the peaceful transfer of power.

Dr Al-Mesmari concludes that municipal elections represent “an administrative duty and a social obligation”, noting that municipalities remain reliant on central authorities for funding, which limits their independence. He adds that voter engagement remains limited in some areas, with certain municipalities recording only a small number of registered voters.