Interior Minister: Libya 'Violations' Risk Vote Delay

Arab World

December 1st, 6:14am

Asharq Al-Awsat

FILE PHOTO: A man shows the voter card he has received at a polling station in Tripoli, Libya November 8, 2021. REUTERS/Hazem Ahmed/File Photo

Libya may have to delay presidential polls slated for December 24 if worsening "violations" threatening the electoral process continue, Interior Minister Khaled Mazen said Tuesday. "The continued obstruction of security plans, and worsening violations and abuses... will directly impact the conduct of the elections and our commitment to holding them on time," Mazen told reporters in the capital Tripoli. "We must not continue on a path that would lead to the deterioration of the security situation until it is out of control," Mazen said, speaking alongside the justice minister. He warned that the current circumstances would not permit elections to take place "normally". Last Wednesday, Libya's electoral commission announced the rejection of the candidacy of Moammar Gaddafi's son Seif al-Islam, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes. Unsuccessful applicants were given 48 hours to appeal in court. But hours before Seif al-Islam was expected to submit his documents, a "group of outlaws" launched an "odious" attack on the court in the southern city of Sebha, the government said. On Tuesday, the judicial commission responsible for examining Seif al-Islam's appeal said it had suspended any ruling on the appeal indefinitely. Both presidential and legislative polls had been slated for December 24, but in early October parliament split the dates, postponing the legislative elections until January.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3334721/interior-minister-libya-violations-risk-vote-delay