Preparations for Libya vote met with high wave of incitement, low public awareness

Mustafa Kamel

Libya faces major challenges with its independent Election Commission accepting the applications of presidential hopefuls.

This is especially true in the light of the incitement made by the State Council which is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood.

Ordinary Libyans are also little aware of the importance of the electoral process.

This was why the latest international conference on Libya in Paris called for bringing those who want to sabotage the elections to account.

World leaders attending the conference also called for a peaceful political transition in Libya.

Eligibility

Commission Head, Emad al-Sayeh, has reiterated presidential candidacy terms.

According to him, presidential candidates have to be over 35 years of age.

Candidates also need to present proof that they do not occupy any public posts.

He noted that candidates have to prove that they do not have a dual nationality, unless they have official permission.

The Electoral Commission is due to announce the list of presidential candidates on November 23 and 24.

On November 25 and 26, the commission will start receiving appeals against any of the candidates whose applications would be approved.

An election rerun will be held in February of next year, if none of the presidential candidates obtains 51% of the vote that will be held on December 24.

The parliamentary elections will be held in February as well.

The United Nations Mission in Libya underscored, meanwhile, the need to hold the elections on time.

The mission also called for making proper preparations for the elections.

“We closely follow ongoing efforts to finalize the legal framework for the elections,” the mission said in a statement recently.

It called on the Libyan House of Deputies to approve the necessary amendments to election laws to pave the way for holding the elections on time.

The mission also called for holding free, fair, inclusive and credible parliamentary and presidential elections, in line with the Libyan Road Map, Security Council Resolutions 2570 and 2571, and the outcome of the second Berlin conference on Libya.

The Libyan Presidential Council has welcomed the results of the Paris conference on Libya.

The conference, it said, had come at a critical time when Libyans look forward to charting the future of their country through a peaceful transition of power and lasting stability.

“Libyan institutions are also doing everything possible to pave the road for holding a comprehensive electoral process,” the council said.

It added that fulfilling this process would enhance confidence among all parties.