On 7 July 2012, the National Transitional Council, in power since the Libyan Civil War, supervised democratic elections for a 200-member General National Congress to replace the Council. The assembly was to choose a prime minister and organize parliamentary elections in 2013.[1] A process to write a constitution was also to be determined.[1] Unrest driven by armed militias, ethnic minority and radical groups undermined the process and the government for the years following the overthrowing of Muammar Gaddafi. While internal apathy towards democratic reforms slowed the process, external bodies such as the European Union were still pressing for the establishment of a national dialogue to build consensus for the drafting of a new constitution to take place before the end of 2014.[2] Parliamentary elections were scheduled to be held on 25 June 2014 in a move aimed at stabilizing the country and quelling the unrest.[3]
According to Article 157 of the 2017 draft Libyan constitution, the Libyan High National Election Commission (HNEC) is responsible for organising elections of national political bodies in Libya.
The Central Commission of Municipal Council Elections (CCMCE) was created in 2018 for organising municipal elections in 2018 to replace councils elected in 2014. It started holding these elections in 2019 in March and April.
See main article: 2012 Libyan General National Congress election.
HNEC organised the 2014 Libyan Constitutional Assembly election of 60 representatives in February 2014.
See main article: 2014 Libyan parliamentary election. The Libyan election commission on 20 May 2014 announced elections would be held on 25 June 2014.[3]
Presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya were scheduled for December 24, 2021; however these were indefinitely postponed by the High National Elections Commission, due to failure to agree on the electoral rules.[4]
As of 2023, Libya had two competing governments, the Government of National Unity (GNU) sited in Tripoli and the Government of National Stability (GNS) in Sirte, formed in March 2022, and supported by the House of Representatives (HoR). The High Council of State (HCS) is now essentially the legislative body for the GNU. In March 2023 both legislative bodies passed an amendment to the Libyan Constitution providing a broad framework for elections; however, numerous disagreements still exist about implementation.[5]
In November 2023, despite objections from members of the High Council of State and the reservations expressed by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL),[6] the House of Representatives ordered the official publication of election rules in the Official Gazette.[7] The regulations were developed by the 6 + 6 Joint Committee of the HoR and the HCS.[8]
National elections were indirect through a hierarchy of people's committees. The head of government was elected by the General People's Congress. The last such election was held in March 2010.
Libya's parliament consisted of a unicameral General People's Congress. Its members were elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees.
Suffrage was 18 years of age; universal and technically compulsory.