Elections in Libya
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 Libya portal |
 | This article needs to be updated. (August 2023) |
On 7 July 2012, the National Transitional Council, in power since the Libyan Civil War, supervised democratic elections for a 200-member General National Congress to replace the Council.[1] The assembly was to choose a prime minister and organize parliamentary elections in 2013.[1] A process to write a constitution was also to be determined.[1] Unrest driven by armed militias, ethnic minority and radical groups undermined the process and the government for the years following the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. While internal apathy towards democratic reforms slowed the process, external bodies such as the European Union were still pressing for the establishment of a national dialogue to build consensus for the drafting of a new constitution to take place before the end of 2014.[2] Parliamentary elections were scheduled to be held on 25 June 2014 in a move aimed at stabilizing the country and quelling the unrest.[3]
History
[edit]Kingdom of Libya
[edit]Libya under Gaddafi
[edit]National elections were indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees. The head of government was elected by the General People's Congress. The last such election was held in March 2009, for a three-years term.[4]
Libya's parliament consisted of a unicameral General People's Congress. Its members were elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees.
Suffrage was 18 years of age; universal and technically compulsory.
Electoral bodies
[edit]According to Article 157 of the 2017 draft Libyan constitution, the Libyan High National Election Commission (HNEC) is responsible for organising elections of national political bodies in Libya.[5]
The Central Commission of Municipal Council Elections (CCMCE) was created in 2018 for organising municipal elections in 2018 to replace councils elected in 2014.[5] It started holding these elections in 2019 in March and April.[6][7][8][9]
2012 elections
[edit]| Party | Party list | Constituency | Total seats | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Seats | Votes | % | Seats | |
| National Forces Alliance | 714,769 | 48.14 | 39 | 39 | ||
| Justice and Construction Party | 152,441 | 10.27 | 17 | 17 | ||
| Union for Homeland | 66,772 | 4.50 | 2 | 2 | ||
| National Front Party | 60,586 | 4.08 | 3 | 3 | ||
| National Centrist Party | 59,402 | 4.00 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Homeland Party | 51,292 | 3.45 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Homeland for Development and Prosperity | 23,629 | 1.59 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Authenticity and Innovation Combine | 18,745 | 1.26 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Al-Hekma (Wisdom) Party | 17,129 | 1.15 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Libyan Youth | 16,119 | 1.09 | 0 | 0 | ||
| The Middle Nation Gathers | 15,354 | 1.03 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Authenticity and Progress come Together | 13,679 | 0.92 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Libyan National Democratic Party | 13,092 | 0.88 | 1 | 1 | ||
| National Parties Alliance | 12,735 | 0.86 | 1 | 1 | ||
| National Democratic Rally Party for Justice and Progress | 12,147 | 0.82 | 0 | 0 | ||
| People's Party | 11,917 | 0.80 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Ar-Resalah (The Message) | 7,860 | 0.53 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Libya Unites as One Nation | 7,853 | 0.53 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Centrist Youth Party | 7,319 | 0.49 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Wadi Al-Hayah Party for Democracy and Development | 6,947 | 0.47 | 2 | 2 | ||
| Democratic Youth Alliance Party | 6,476 | 0.44 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libya Success | 6,391 | 0.43 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libya – The Hope | 6,093 | 0.41 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Free National Congress | 5,901 | 0.40 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Authenticity and Development Association | 5,250 | 0.35 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Nafusa Mountains Gathering | 5,226 | 0.35 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Authenticity and Construction | 4,818 | 0.32 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Democratic Party for the Rule of Law | 4,769 | 0.32 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Movement for Justice and Development | 4,713 | 0.32 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Renaissance and Development Entity | 4,629 | 0.31 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Authenticity and Justice Alliance | 4,604 | 0.31 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Congress Association | 4,452 | 0.30 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Rally Party | 4,409 | 0.30 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Independent National Rally | 4,276 | 0.29 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Brotherhood Party for Justice and Development | 4,161 | 0.28 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Accord Party | 3,926 | 0.26 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Democratic Alliance | 3,707 | 0.25 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Democratic Consensus Party | 3,686 | 0.25 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Labaika National Party | 3,472 | 0.23 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Progress for Libya | 3,319 | 0.22 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Tripoli Gathering | 3,103 | 0.21 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Unity Gathering | 3,053 | 0.21 | 0 | 0 | ||
| The Center Party for Development and Security | 3,039 | 0.20 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Party for Liberty and Development | 2,691 | 0.18 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Libyan Development Party | 2,649 | 0.18 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Change and Construction Party | 2,570 | 0.17 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libya, the Civilization | 2,253 | 0.15 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Renaissance | 2,227 | 0.15 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Entity, Homeland, Freedom, Justice | 2,156 | 0.15 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Democratic Movement | 2,146 | 0.14 | 0 | 0 | ||
| The Center Gathering for Democracy, Justice and Development | 2,094 | 0.14 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Dawa and Development Party | 2,072 | 0.14 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Current Gathering | 2,062 | 0.14 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Communication | 1,887 | 0.13 | 0 | 0 | ||
| The Transition from Revolution to State | 1,810 | 0.12 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Free Libyans Party | 1,781 | 0.12 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libya for All | 1,611 | 0.11 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Development for the Future | 1,596 | 0.11 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Justice, Reform and Development Alliance | 1,586 | 0.11 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Conservative Independence Party | 1,555 | 0.10 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Promise (National Rally for Justice and Democracy) | 1,546 | 0.10 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Arrakeeza (The Foundation) | 1,525 | 0.10 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Loyalists Party | 1,498 | 0.10 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Al-Wafa Foundation for Martyrs | 1,496 | 0.10 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Al-Kadwa Political Forum | 1,450 | 0.10 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Democratic Development and Prosperity Party | 1,420 | 0.10 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Nation and Prosperity | 1,400 | 0.09 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Virtue Gathering | 1,363 | 0.09 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Constitutional Rally | 1,355 | 0.09 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Party of Wadi ash-Shati' | 1,355 | 0.09 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Libyan Democratic Rally Party | 1,334 | 0.09 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Youth Movement | 1,332 | 0.09 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libya Al Watan Party | 1,324 | 0.09 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Rally Party | 1,320 | 0.09 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Peace and development | 1,255 | 0.08 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Reform Gathering | 1,237 | 0.08 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libya Union Gathering | 1,235 | 0.08 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Al-Wefaq and Development Party | 1,230 | 0.08 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Organization for National Unity | 1,213 | 0.08 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Vision | 1,186 | 0.08 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Coalition to Encourage Women's and Youth Participation in Decision-Making | 1,106 | 0.07 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Youth Assembly | 1,093 | 0.07 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libya Renaissance Movement | 1,076 | 0.07 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Democratic Center Party | 1,058 | 0.07 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Youth Political Bloc | 1,044 | 0.07 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Independent National Gathering - Tarhuna | 1,038 | 0.07 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Loyalty Party | 996 | 0.07 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Bloc for Change and Reform | 982 | 0.07 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Freedom and justice | 955 | 0.06 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Sharia current | 952 | 0.06 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Liberation Party for Justice and Development | 926 | 0.06 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Justice and progress | 891 | 0.06 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan National Free Assembly | 872 | 0.06 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Labour Party | 825 | 0.06 | 0 | 0 | ||
| White Hands Coalition | 798 | 0.05 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libya Unites in Purpose and Destiny | 788 | 0.05 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Umma Party | 762 | 0.05 | 0 | 0 | ||
| The Future | 758 | 0.05 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Wadi Al-Rimal Development and Change Group | 706 | 0.05 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libya's Hopes | 679 | 0.05 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Rally for Solidarity and Development | 665 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Solidarity Gathering | 659 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Afaq Association for Women and Child Care | 655 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Renewal Gathering | 637 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Our Youth | 572 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Authenticity Forum | 518 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Moderate Democratic Gathering | 488 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Democratic Social Reform Gathering | 458 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | ||
| United Libya Gathering | 429 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Homeland Alliance Coalition | 414 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Advancement and Renewal | 411 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Youth Gathering | 401 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Development Party | 400 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Accord Party | 377 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Spring | 363 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| New National Congress list | 345 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Future Vision Forum | 331 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Democratic Competence Party | 323 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Republican Party | 321 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Youth Voice Gathering | 314 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Club for Politics and Development | 312 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libya, the Beating Heart | 289 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Free Democratic Bloc | 282 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Internal National Forces | 272 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Libyan Party | 268 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Homeland Belt Gathering | 254 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | ||
| United Libya Centrist Party | 177 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | ||
| National Party of Libyan Youth | 165 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Liberal Party | 112 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | ||
| The Libya we Want | 105 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Independent | 120 | 120 | ||||
| Total | 1,484,702 | 100.00 | 80 | 120 | 200 | |
| Source: [10][11] |
2014 elections
[edit]Constituent Assembly
[edit]HNEC organised the 2014 Libyan Constitutional Assembly election of 60 representatives in February 2014.[12][13][14]
House of Representatives
[edit]The Libyan election commission on 20 May 2014 announced elections would be held on 25 June 2014.[3]
Municipal elections
[edit]Local elections were held in Libya during 2019–2021, organised by CCMCE,[6][7][8][9] and during 2024–2025 by HNEC.[15][16]
National-level election rule disputes
[edit]Presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya were scheduled for 24 December 2021. These were indefinitely postponed by the High National Elections Commission, due to failure to agree on the electoral rules.[17]
As of 2023, Libya had two competing governments, the Government of National Unity (GNU) sited in Tripoli and the Government of National Stability (GNS) in Sirte, formed in March 2022, and supported by the House of Representatives (HoR).[17] The High Council of State (HCS) is now essentially the legislative body for the GNU. In March 2023 both legislative bodies passed an amendment to the Libyan Constitution providing a broad framework for elections; however, numerous disagreements still exist about implementation.[17][18]
In November 2023, despite objections from members of the High Council of State and the reservations expressed by United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL),[19] the House of Representatives ordered the official publication of election rules in the Official Gazette.[20] The regulations were developed by the 6+6 Committee of the HoR and the HCS.[21]
In late 2025, a citizens' assembly type process among a diverse group of 137 Libyans, called the Structured Dialogue, was launched, with aims including the development of proposals for electoral processes.[22]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Gumuchian, Marie-Louise, and Hadeel Al Shalchi. "Libyans celebrate free vote despite violence". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "A European agenda to support Libya's transition". European Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- 1 2 "Libya to hold elections in a bid to defuse violence". Herald Globe. Archived from the original on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ↑ "LIBYA" (PDF). /2009-2017.state.gov. Retrieved 2 Nov 2025.
- 1 2 "Project Document – Libya – Local Elections" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. 4 February 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 January 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
- 1 2 "Libya holds municipal elections in first vote for five years". Middle East Monitor. 31 March 2019. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- 1 2 "UN envoy hails Libyans' keenness on holding municipal elections despite war". The Libya Observer. 20 April 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- 1 2 Alharathy, Safa (28 April 2019). "Sabha holds municipal council elections". The Libya Observer. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- 1 2 "Central Committee for Municipal Elections confirms the election of six new mayors to municipal councils". The Libya Observer. 1 May 2019. Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
- ↑ "القوائم" [Lists]. High National Elections Commission (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 31 August 2013.
- ↑ "المرشحون" [Candidates]. High National Elections Commission (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2 September 2013.
- ↑ "Constitutional assembly candidates being registered". Libya Herald. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-10-22. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- ↑ Elumami, Ahmed (21 February 2014). "Election re-runs next Wednesday says Elabbar". Libya Herald. Archived from the original on 2014-02-24. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ↑ Elumami, Ahmed (2 March 2014). "HNEC announces results for Constitutional Committee elections". Libya Herald. Archived from the original on 2014-03-10. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- ↑ Libya Mohammed (19 November 2024). "US congratulates HNEC for holding first round of municipal elections". The Libya Observer. Wikidata Q137386292. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024.
- ↑ Abdulkader Assad (2 November 2025). "HNEC: 150,000 voters registered in 9 municipalities as third group elections resume". The Libya Observer. Wikidata Q137386052. Archived from the original on 9 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 Emig, Addison (16 August 2023). "Libya's Elusive Elections: Will 2023 Be the Year for Elections?". Wilson Center. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "High State Council passes 13th amendment – paving way for Libyan elections?". Libya Herald. 2 March 2023.
- ↑ Assad, Abdulkader (27 July 2023). "UNSMIL warns against unilateral initiatives in Libya". The Libyan Observer.
- ↑ Assad, Abdulkader (2 November 2023). "Libya's HoR publishes controversial election laws in Official Gazette". The Libyan Observer.
- ↑ Alharathy, Safa (6 April 2023). "6 + 6 Committee holds first meeting at HCS HQ in Tripoli". The Libyan Observer. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023.
- ↑ Hanna Tetteh (14 December 2025), Opening remarks by SRSG Hanna Tetteh at the inaugural plenary meeting of the Structured Dialogue 14 December 2025, United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Wikidata Q137385579, archived from the original on 6 February 2026