Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC) has issued a firm advisory urging the public to disregard any municipal election results circulating on social media or through unofficial channels. The Commission emphasized that only data released via its official website or verified social platforms should be trusted, as the vote-counting process remains ongoing across multiple levels—from local polling stations to regional tally offices and ultimately to the central hub in Tripoli. While the Commission has set a 21-day window for the official announcement of results, the timeline may be shortened due to suspended voting in several areas.
The municipal elections, conducted across 26 councils, recorded a voter turnout of approximately 161,684—representing 71% of those who had collected their voting cards. Despite this encouraging level of participation, the electoral process was significantly disrupted in various regions. In the east and south, authorities withheld voter cards and cancelled polling in dozens of municipalities, while in the west, violent incidents—including arson attacks on HNEC facilities in Zawiya and a physical assault on its offices in Zliten—led to delays and postponements. These events have raised alarm among civil society groups and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, which have condemned the disruptions as violations of citizens’ political rights and threats to the integrity of the democratic process.
As Libya continues its fragile journey toward restoring local governance, HNEC’s appeal for patience and reliance on verified information is a vital measure to protect the credibility of the elections. In a landscape marked by logistical hurdles and security challenges, the Commission’s efforts to maintain transparency and order are seen as essential to rebuilding public trust and reinforcing democratic norms.