Elections in Libya not only need a constitutional and legal framework but also require addressing several issues to create favorable conditions for holding them, Bathily says.

Tripoli, 20 March 2023 (Lana) The Head of the UNSMIL, Abdoulaye Bathily, affirmed that elections in Libya not only need a constitutional and legal framework but also require addressing several issues to create suitable conditions for holding them.

Bathily identified on the mission's Facebook page, a set of tasks for the high level team that he proposed to form, according to his initiative that he presented at the end of February before the Security Council, with the aim of holding elections during this year.

Bathily said that the team's tasks include providing a safe environment for elections, ensuring freedom of movement for candidates during election campaigns, providing an equal ground for free and honest competition between candidates, agreeing to accept election results, adopting a code of conduct that everyone adheres to, approving a transparent and fair government spending mechanism, and addressing any political or procedural issues that may arise.

Bathily presented his initiative to the UN Security Council on February 27, focusing on the possibility of setting a clear roadmap to reach elections in mid-June, conducting polls at the end of 2023, and preparing the security and military tracks, to ensure the safety of the environment surrounding the elections.

Bathily proposed to the Security Council to create (high-level steering committee in Libya), that would work to bring the various concerned Libyan parties, including representatives of political institutions, prominent political figures, tribal leaders, civil society organizations, security actors, and representatives of women and youth.

=Lana=