Libya Holds Rare Municipal Elections Amid Deep Divisions and Security Threats
Libya will hold rare municipal elections on Saturday in what observers see as a crucial test of democracy in a country still fractured by political rivalry and instability.
The vote, the first of its kind in years has already been marred by boycotts from key eastern cities including Benghazi, Sirte, and Tobruk, underscoring the sharp divisions between the nation’s rival administrations.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has hailed the elections as “essential to uphold democratic governance,” but warned that recent attacks on electoral offices, coupled with persistent insecurity, threaten to derail the process.
“Libyans need to vote freely, without fear or pressure from anyone,” said Esraa Abdelmonem, a 36-year-old mother of three. “It will be interesting to see how communities that experienced clashes in May choose to cast their votes.”
Since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted Moamer Kadhafi, Libya has been split between the UN-recognised government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and an eastern administration backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar.
International relations professor Khaled al-Montasser described the upcoming ballot as “decisive,” saying it will reveal whether Libya’s rival power blocs are prepared to accept leaders chosen by the people rather than imposed by “intimidation or arms.”
Nearly 380,000 Libyans, mostly from western municipalities, are expected to vote. Elections were initially planned for 63 municipalities 41 in the west, 13 in the east, and nine in the south but the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) suspended voting in 11 constituencies due to irregularities, administrative hurdles, and pressure from local authorities. In some areas near Tripoli, the distribution of voter cards has also delayed the process.
Tensions escalated on Tuesday when armed men attacked HNEC’s headquarters in Zliten, 160 kilometres east of Tripoli. While no fatalities were reported, UNSMIL confirmed injuries and condemned the assault as an attempt to “intimidate voters, candidates, and electoral staff” and block citizens from exercising their political rights.
Libya’s path to democratic governance has been turbulent. Following Kadhafi’s four-decade rule, the country held its first free parliamentary elections in 2012, followed by municipal polls in 2013. But the 2014 legislative elections saw low turnout amid surging violence.
In August 2014, a militia coalition seized Tripoli, forcing the newly elected parliament to flee east. A UN-brokered agreement in December 2015 created the Government of National Accord under Fayez al-Sarraj, but unity remained elusive.
While limited municipal elections took place between 2019 and 2021, Saturday’s vote will be the most significant electoral exercise in years and a litmus test for Libya’s fragile democracy.
