The Independent: Why might the upcoming Libyan elections contribute to an explosion of violence in the country instead of calming it?

The British Independent newspaper said that it is unlikely that the Libyan presidential elections will take place on schedule this weekend, and that political analysts fear that the chaos associated with the elections could lead to armed clashes between the political parties.

The newspaper pointed out in a report prepared by its correspondent Borzo Daragahi that the Libyan elections scheduled for December 24, have long been promoted as a way to restore order and unity to a nation torn by terrorism, divided by war and suffering economic ruin, but these expectations faltered due to the dispute over the laws regulating elections and the eligibility of the elections. Some of its candidates.

The newspaper’s correspondent described the situation in Tripoli as fragile and tense, and said that the competing militias in the Libyan capital had deployed, in recent days, convoys of trucks loaded with machine guns, in mutual threats between them, as well as threats to the interim government headed by Abdel Hamid Dabaiba, the current prime minister and one of the main candidates for the presidential elections. .

In the south of the country, forces loyal to retired Major General Khalifa Haftar, who also ran for elections, reinforced their forces ahead of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections backed by the United Nations.

"Libya is sliding down a dark path"

The report indicated that arms shipments have been flowing into Libya from foreign backers, despite the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations on the country, and the recent period has witnessed increasing violations of the temporary truce between the warring Libyan factions.

The Independent report quoted Anas Al-Qamati, a member of the Sadiq Institute, a research center specializing in Libyan affairs, as saying that what is happening in the country is crazy, and "we are days, if not hours, from the United Nations having to announce the postponement of the elections."

The newspaper's correspondent pointed out that there is concern in the circles concerned with the Libyan affairs that any developments announced suddenly regarding the Libyan presidential and parliamentary elections will exacerbate the already dangerous situation in the country.

Commenting on the situation in Libya, Libyan researcher Tariq Al-Majrisi wrote a tweet through his Twitter account, in which he said that "Libya is sliding down a dark path," according to the newspaper.

The report quoted Mejrissi as saying that "everyone realizes that the elections will not take place (the end of this week), yet no one has announced that (the postponement) officially. Therefore, everyone is maneuvering, preparing positions, and creating chaos to fill the vacuum and consolidate influence to achieve political gains."

The newspaper pointed out that there is speculation that election officials and international supporters are scrambling to find room to maneuver and deal with the current tense situation, perhaps by declaring December 24 as a symbolic start to the electoral process that may lead to the actual voting taking place in January or February. February next year.

Concern about the repercussions of the official announcement of the candidates

A member of the High National Elections Commission in Libya has ruled out holding the presidential elections on their scheduled date this weekend, which enhances the possibility of postponing the polls until the rules governing it are agreed upon.

A member of the commission, Abu Bakr Marda, told Al Jazeera last Thursday that holding the presidential elections on time on December 24 is no longer possible, as the remaining period is not enough for electoral campaigning.

In an interview with Al-Jazeera two weeks ago, the head of the Libyan Electoral Commission, Imad al-Sayeh, indicated the possibility of postponing the presidential elections.

The Independent report indicated that some believe that officials of the Libyan Electoral Commission are concerned about the repercussions of the official announcement of the names of candidates for the presidential elections, which will allow the start of the official election campaign, as the lists include some controversial candidates, which may anger the Libyan street and make the members of the Commission a target for acts of violence.

"Legal Problems"

The newspaper said that the main candidates for the presidential elections are concerned that the upcoming elections will be the last in the country, and fear that the winner will strengthen the authoritarian rule to stay in power.

"There are legal concerns, as some players will be able to challenge the electoral process itself," the newspaper quoted Jalil Harchaoui, a North African specialist at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, as saying. To be a substitute for the constitution is incomplete, too fragile, too weak, too contradictory.”

The United Nations is making unremitting efforts with the Libyan parties to save the electoral process before it fails as a whole, and the actors in the political process are continuing to find a way out that satisfies the various parties and to maintain the commitment to holding elections when appropriate conditions are available.