Letter by 16 Libyan National Parties and Movements to HNEC

A consortium of 16 Libyan national parties and movements issued a joint letter to the head of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), Emad al-Sayeh, demanding it does not allow individuals and organisations to utilise and exploit public funds and state institutions for “campaigning, promotion or exerting any influence whatsoever for the benefit of any candidate, party or stakeholder, or offending their opponents.”

The letter was signed by 16 Libyan national parties and movements who are concerned with the way the present government and its leaders are utilising state funds and the institutional mechanism of government in order to benefit their own specific electoral ambitions.

The joint letter also reminded HNEC of the stipulations agreed at the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) which defined the conditions of those who took office with the interim Presidential Council and the interim Government of National Unity (GNU) “particularly in relation to abstaining from running for presidential or legislative elections and emphasizing that they should not be allowed to do so out of respect for their commitments and pledges.”

AlMarsad publishes here in English the full letter issued to HNEC by the 16 Libyan national political parties and movement:

Letter by the Libyan National Parties and Movements
to the High National Elections Commission (HNEC)

H.E. Chairman and Members of the Board of Directors of the
High National Elections Commission
Tripoli
State of Libya

While the national political parties, movements and organizations, signatories to this letter, hereby, commend the professional and patriotic work carried out by the High National Elections Commission (HNEC), and highly appreciate its role in implementing the will of the Libyan people and the electoral legislation in accordance with the constitutional rules, applicable laws and recognized international standards, and HNEC commitment to hold the Presidential and Parliamentary general elections on their stipulated date on 24 December 2021, in accordance with the outputs of the Berlin Conference I and II, the LPDF Tunis Agreement, and the Roadmap for the Preparatory Phase for a Comprehensive Solution that was concluded in Geneva;

We take this opportunity to renew our confidence in your esteemed Commission, and your keenness to adhere to the foundations and rules of democracy and to practice the best standards of integrity, transparency and law enforcement.

We also stress the need not to allow the utilization of public funds or the exploitation of state institutions, whether they are media outlets, or administrative, economic or religious state entities and institutions, for campaigning, promotion or exerting any influence whatsoever for the benefit of any candidate, party or stakeholder, or offending their opponents.

It is equally important to draw your kind attention to the necessity for the concerned individuals to abide by the outputs of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), which resulted in the agreement to hold elections and form the Interim Presidential Council (PC) and the Interim Government of National Unity (GNU), particularly in relation to abstaining from running for presidential or legislative elections and emphasizing that they should not be allowed to do so out of respect for their commitments and pledges.

In conclusion, we are aware of the magnitude of the challenges facing you, but we are confident that your professionalism and patriotism will not fail the Libyans aspiring to exercise their inherent right to democratically choose their governing authorities with full freedom, transparency and integrity.

God Bless You All

May God Save Libya

May peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you

September 30, 2021

Signatories: