Parliamentary elections have been scheduled to be held in Libya since 2021. Originally scheduled for 10 December 2021, elections has been pushed back multiple times amid the ongoing political crisis in Libya.
 | |||
| |||
All 200 seats 101 seats needed for a majority | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
Background
The Government on National Unity, headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, was established in March 2021 and was designed to serve in a caretaker role until a permanent government was established after elections were held.[1] Originally planned for 7 December 2021, the date was moved to 24 December before finally being scrapped days before voting was to take place amid political deadlock and fighting in Tripoli.[2]
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives which is based in eastern Libya, passed a motion of no confidence against the unity government on 21 September 2021. On 10 February 2022, the House appointed Fathi Bashagha as prime minister which established the rival Government of National Stability (GNS), based in Tobruk.[3]
Dbeibeh refused to recognize the GNS or Bashagha, announcing on 22 February 2022 plans to hold elections in June.[4] By May he pushed this proposal to the end of 2022,[5] and later into 2023.[6]
In March 2023, an amendment to the Libyan Constitution was passed by both the House of Representatives and the High Council of State containing thirty-four articles defining a new system of government and the tasks of the elected president and prime minister.[7][8] However, many issues remained unresolved, casting doubt on the timing of the elections.[7][9][10]
Candidates
According to the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), 5,385 candidates registered for the parliamentary election by 7 December 2021 deadline.[11]