Germany to support Libyan elections with $2.33 mn: UN

Germany will provide 2 million euros (around $2.33 million) to support municipal election programmes in Libya, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said on Saturday.

The contribution was announced by German Ambassador to Libya Oliver Owcza and will support the Central Committee for Municipal Elections (CCMCE) in conducting municipal council elections across the country.

According to the UNDP, the German funding is intended to strengthen the electoral process and assist preparations for municipal polls scheduled to be conducted across Libya between 2018 and 2020.

The latest contribution will take the total financial support available for Libya’s municipal election programme to 3.4 million euros, the UNDP said.

The development comes as Libya continues efforts to conduct municipal elections across its cities and regions. The CCMCE announced on Thursday that the municipal election process had begun in the southwestern cities of Bani Walid and Derj.

Libya has more than 100 municipalities representing different cities and regions, making municipal elections an important component of local governance and political participation.

International assistance, including financial and technical support, is aimed at helping Libyan electoral authorities strengthen the organisation of local polls and improve participation at the municipal level.