Libya is set to hold municipal elections for the third group of municipalities on October 18, a step forward in the country’s long-delayed local governance renewal process, the High National Electoral Commission (HNEC) announced on Tuesday.
According to the HNEC, the “Group 3” elections will cover 16 municipalities, with a second round scheduled for October 20 in 12 additional cities where municipal council mandates have expired or where prior elections were disrupted.
“Each stage of the electoral process, from staffing and logistics to financial coverage of polling stations, must be carefully planned,” the HNEC said in its statement, emphasizing that resources will be adapted to the realities of each constituency to ensure transparency and security of the vote.
However, the commission highlighted that several areas under the control of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar remain excluded from the process. Twelve municipalities are currently suspended due to what the HNEC described as “obstructions to the distribution of voter cards” and closures of polling stations without prior notice.
The body called on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and local authorities to help resolve these blockages and enable elections in the affected regions.
These municipal polls form part of a gradual plan to relaunch Libya’s electoral process, which began earlier this year, with the goal of renewing local institutions ahead of national elections.
The HNEC stressed that it intends to proceed according to its timetable “without political interference,” arguing that stable municipal governance is a prerequisite for a lasting political settlement.
Despite ongoing tensions between eastern and western authorities, the commission remains committed to its schedule, signaling a cautious but important step toward rebuilding Libya’s political infrastructure.
Observers say the successful completion of these elections could provide momentum for broader national reconciliation and democratic processes in the country.
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