An Italian news agency, NOVA, has revealed that the conflict over funding for municipal elections in Libya, which concerns only 60 out of 160 municipalities, is raising doubts about whether decision-makers in Tripoli and Benghazi are genuinely interested in allowing elections. If successful, these elections could pave the way for national elections and end the current stalemate.
NOVA reports that crucial issues remain unresolved in organizing municipal council elections in 60 municipalities, including funding for the High National Elections Commission (HNEC). The success of these elections could potentially lead to parliamentary and presidential consultations, which the United Nations Support Mission in Libya has called for.
Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah claims to have allocated 90 million Libyan dinars (equivalent to 17.24 million euros) for the municipal elections. However, the HNEC denies receiving any of these funds. The Government of National Unity accuses the Central Bank Governor, Sadiq al-Kabir, of obstructing the disbursement of these allocations.
In eastern Libya, Osama Hamad, the prime minister appointed by the House of Representatives, claims to have secured the necessary funds for organizing municipal elections.
During her briefing to the UN Security Council on June 19, Acting UN Envoy Stephanie Williams accused General Khalifa Haftar of closing ten election registration centers in eastern Libya.
The Italian report suggests that Libya’s fragile balance is based on an implicit agreement between two powerful families, Dbeibah and Haftar, to maintain the status quo by keeping their respective powers in Tripoli and Benghazi.
Libyan sources told the Italian agency that there are concerns about the potential victory of Gaddafi supporters. In the west, there are fears that elections could bring to power individuals with greater legitimacy than the current appointed (not elected) rulers who are part of the UN-sponsored Libyan dialogue.
Earlier last week, the HNEC decided to extend the voter registration period, which was supposed to end on June 7, to July 23. So far, 110,000 people have registered, but women’s participation remains very low according to the commission’s data.
This situation highlights the complex political landscape in Libya and the challenges facing the country’s path to democratic elections and stability.