Call on women in Libya to use their right to vote in municipal council elections
Libyan activists call on women to use their right to vote in the municipal council elections to be held in the country. “You have the right to elect and be elected, you should not neglect it.”
HINDIYA AL-ASHEPY
Benghazi- The High National Elections Commission (HNEC) in Libya announced the opening of the voter registration process for the municipal council elections on June 9, 2024. Then, it announced that the voter registration process was extended until July 7 upon the demands of NGOs and citizens. The number of voters registered for the first group municipal elections (for 60 municipalities) reached 83,154.
‘More women can be included in the election process’
In an interview with NuJINHA, Libyan political activist Shem Boufana talked about the activities aiming at increasing women’s participation in the elections. “NGOs and activists have been carrying out awareness-raising activities about voter registration and how women can cast their votes,” she said. “More women can be included in the election process, especially for metropolitan municipalities.”
Shem Baoufana thinks that Libya’s Law No.59 should be amended after the municipal council elections. “This law should be amended to increase women’s participation in mayoral elections.”
‘Women should make their voices heard’
Asmaa Fadlallah Mansour, member of the Gathering Our Goal for Libya and the Elections, thinks that Libyan women should be encouraged to elect and be elected. “Since the opening of the voter registration process for the municipal council elections, NGOs have been carrying out awareness-raising activities. Women attending these activities learn their rights and roles in the elections. Women should cast their votes in the municipal council elections to make their voices heard.”
Asmaa Fadlallah Mansour emphasized that more activities should be carried out for women, especially women living in rural areas to encourage them in casting their votes. “Various social activities such as meetings, workshops and seminars should be organized. Women have the capacity to hold the position in the municipal councils,” she said, calling on women in Libya to participate in all elections. “You have the right to elect and be elected, you should not neglect it.”