By Sami Zaptia.
London, 6 April 2021:
U.S. Ambassador Richard Norland and Emad Al-Sayah head of Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC) met today in Tunis, the U.S. Embassy reports.
The embassy said Norland received an update on planning for Libya’s national elections on 24 December 2021. Norland congratulated Al-Sayah on preparations completed so far, and on the highly competent, independent and apolitical way in which HNEC has carried out its technical tasks in preparation for this historic event in Libya’s political life.
Ambassador Norland stressed the importance the United States attaches to reaching agreement on a viable constitutional basis and on presidential and parliamentary election laws by July 1, 2021, in order for the HNEC to adequately prepare for the December 2021 elections.
In the U.S. view, the statement reported, if the House of Representatives is unable to reach consensus on these issues, the LPDF must fulfil its role according to the roadmap so that elections can take place by the LPDF’s agreed-upon 24 December 2021 electoral timeline.
Ambassador Norland and Al-Sayah discussed the importance of electoral security, space for civil society to engage in voter education activities, and for candidates to be able to campaign freely.
The United States, the statement added, supports full participation by all eligible voters — men and women, the disabled, and members of minority groups alike. The United States appreciates its partnership with the HNEC – an independent and capable institution – as it prepares to administer free, fair and transparent elections for the people of Libya. The Ambassador complimented Al-Sayah’s capable work in the years he has served as the HNEC’s head, the statement concluded.
