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Promoting Elections for the People of Libya
Introduction
Elections are an important element in supporting democratic transition as it enables citizens to vote for their representatives and hold their leaders accountable. Elections strengthen good governance, and foster a culture of civic participation in political processes. They are also a critical step toward national unity, peace and stability.
Since its establishment in 2012, Libya's High National Elections Commission (HNEC) has conducted electoral processes with UN technical assistance. Most recently, municipal council elections were successfully conducted by HNEC across all regions of Libya between November 2024 and February 2026, demonstrating the country's technical capacity to organise elections and guarantee an independent and credible process.
In anticipation of a political agreement, HNEC has to ensure its readiness for national elections as soon as they are called. UNDP provides, in an integrated UN setting, technical electoral assistance to HNEC and Libyan-led and owned electoral processes.
Approach
PEPOL is implemented by the United Nations Electoral Support Team (UNEST), comprising experts from UNDP and the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Under the strategic guidance of the Mission, UNEST provides direct, on-site technical advice and support to the HNEC Commissioners and their staff. In particular, the project is designed to:
- Support the planning, preparation for and conduct of electoral events.
- Develop HNEC institutional and staff capacities to conduct electoral processes that are transparent, credible and that promote inclusive participation.
- Promote public participation in electoral processes — particularly among groups who are prone to exclusion.
- Raise electoral awareness of local partners and institutions, equipping them to perform their roles effectively.
Impact
Democratic processes are a way to move toward peace and stability, foster a culture of accountability and good governance, in which human rights can be delivered and development sustained.
The successful completion of local elections in 119 municipalities between 2024 and 2026 represents a historic milestone in Libya's democratic transition. Nearly 700,000 voters were registered and almost 500,000 people cast their ballots, electing more than 1,200 municipal council members — including 207 women and 119 persons with disabilities. These elections strengthened local governance and fostered a culture of electoral participation and awareness across the country.
Elections also contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 16 to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; and SDG 5 to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Achievements
- Successful completion of municipal council elections in 119 municipalities (November 2024-February 2026), reinforcing confidence in HNEC's ability to deliver credible and independent electoral processes.
- Nearly 700,000 voters registered and approximately 500,000 ballots cast in local elections, with 72% overall voter turnout.
- 207 women elected to municipal councils (~20% of seats) — a significant improvement from previous local councils where women held approximately 10% of seats.
- Enhanced inclusion reflected in 119 persons with disabilities elected to municipal councils, representing approximately 12% of seats.
- The election of two female mayors in (Zultan and Suluq) — a unique achievement demonstrating progress in advancing women's participation in electoral and governance processes.
- Successful pilot of biometric voter verification (PVP) in 9 municipalities, strengthening voter confidence and data processing integrity.
- Continued strengthening of women's civic engagement through the training and support of three generations of women outreach ambassadors, with a fourth generation in progress.
- Publication of the first annual eMonitor+ report on online violence against women in elections, developed by HNEC's Women Support Unit with UNDP/PEPOL support
- Stronger data security and results management systems, including tally centre equipment and technical support.
- Nationwide voter registry comprising 2.8 million citizens (2021)
- Safe delivery, management, and storage of election materials and logistics throughout the electoral process.
- Continuous development of HNEC staff skills and expertise through training and workshops.
- Expanded Commission membership in regional and international election networks, including Arab EMBs, AWAB.
- Development of Code of Conduct and Operations, manuals.
- Documentation of electoral processes and the conduct of lessons learned exercises to ensure improved performance in future electoral events.
Municipal council elections 2024–2026 at a glance
More about the project
