Threats prevented us from announcing final list of presidential candidates: Libyan High Electoral Commission

CAIRO – 17 January 2022:  Head of the Libyan High Electoral Commission, Imad al-Sayeh, said that the have received several threats from different armed parties to restrain them from announcing the final list of presidential candidates.

In a a session of the Libyan House of Representatives in Tobruk on Monday, he added that “The prevailing security conditions prevented the completion of the Commission’s work, to the extent that the Ministry of the Interior it self was not able to continue its work, same as the Electoral Commission.”

Al Sayeh explained that discussing any news dates any new dates for the elections means that we need to open the nomination for the candidacy of elections once again.

The Head of the Electoral Commission indicated that the Commission will re-check the candidates' files in terms of procedures and information validity, noting that the Commission is in the process of reviewing all submitted documents, starting with academic certificates and ending with recommendations.

On December, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi received in Cairo Head of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed al-Menfy asserting "Egypt's support to whatever fulfills the high interest of Libya, activate the free willpower of its people, and preserves its territorial integrity and sovereignty," the presidency's press statement indicates.

The meeting – that took place in Al Ithidiyah Presidential Palace – was attended by Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry, Chief of General Intelligence Abbas Kamel, and Libyan Permanent Envoy to the Arab League Ambassador Abdel Motaleb Idris.

"On his side, head of the Libyan Presidential Council valued the vital role of Egypt, and its persistent and honest efforts - under the leadership of President Sisi – aimed at reinstating stability in Libya, and unifying its institutions, particularly the military institution embodied in the Libyan National Army in integration with the efforts of 5+5 Military Committee," the statement indicates.

Menfy further presented an overview of Libya's internal political status, agreeing with the Egyptian president on intensifying consultation and coordination over the developments of the political process, and measures pertaining to the management of the transitional period. 

Libya’s presidential and parliamentary elections were scheduled to be held on December 24, 2021.