Libya’s Elections Commission Only Delayed Announcing Candidates, Not Elections
The Claim
Breaking News: Elections in Libya are now officially put off following the elections commission’s announcement that it is postponing the announcement of candidates.
News posted on
Emerging story
Facebook accounts have recently circulated a claim that the elections in Libya will be delayed as a result of the elections commission’s announcement to postpone declaring candidate names.
Photo Description: The screenshot shows Facebook accounts posting the claim as breaking news.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulated claim and found it fake. The Libyan High National Elections Commission did not officially announce that it would postpone elections because of delaying the announcement of candidate lists for the House of Representatives election. Instead, the commission said in its release that there would be only a brief delay in announcing the lists. The commission also reaffirmed its politically neutral and unbiased stance regarding all contestants and that it has nothing to gain by delaying this process.
Photo Description: The screenshots show the statement released by the commission on the delay in announcing candidate lists for the House of Representatives.
The commission stated on Monday, Dec. 13, regarding the developments in the electoral process. It said that it would have to briefly postpone the process of announcing the preliminary lists of candidates for the election of the House of Representatives. The commission did not say that this would delay the elections, which are due to start on Dec 24.
The commission’s website and social media pages published news about the Dec 13 meeting of Chairperson Imad Al-Sayeh with the advisor of the United Nations Secretary-General for Libya, Stephanie Williams. The commission quoted Stephanie Williams reaffirming that the elections would be held on time.
Photo Description: The photo shows Mr. Imad and another member of the elections commission meeting with Ms. Stephanie. The caption says the election is expected to be held on time.
Translated by Ahmed N. A. Almassri
