Tripoli, 6 May:
As Libya prepares for next month’s elections, a coalition of civil society organisations has launched the Shahed Network for . . .[restrict]election observation, the first citizen election monitoring effort ever attempted in the country.
The network plans to recruit and train observers to monitor all aspects of the polls, scheduled to open on 19 June. Its goal is to recruit and train observers who will be present in 1,500 polling stations across Libya, for both voter registration and on election day.
“Our witnessing of this process will provide citizens with confidence in their democratic elections,” said Abdul Karim Mahamed, chairman of the Shahed Network.
“We look forward to the full cooperation of electoral bodies, political entities, candidates, security forces, civil society and the international community in the pursuit of peaceful and credible elections.”
Election monitors are also being sent by the EU, the UN and the Carter Center. HNEC officials have said it is not asking international groups to monitor the election but that if any reputable body requests to send monitors, they will be approved.
Earlier today,the High National Election Commission, announced that 330,000 voters had so far registered to vote in next month’s elections, describing the number as a “positive indicator” that overall registration numbers would be high. Voter registration began on Tuesday and will continue until 14 May.
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