The Six Plus Six Joint Committee, an advisory body comprising members from Libya’s State Supreme Council and the unicameral House of Representatives, recently reached a decision regarding who may participate in the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections. The scope of the discussion centered on former officials tied to the regime led by Muammar Gaddafi, and whether their inclusion would be permissible under the evolving electoral framework. This development was conveyed by a prominent television outlet, Al Hadath, which reported the committee’s deliberations and outcomes. The report indicates a deliberate attempt to balance historical accountability with the pragmatic realities of fielding credible candidates in a competitive political environment.
According to the channel, a central conclusion of the Six Plus Six committee was to explicitly refuse nominations of officials connected to the old regime. This stance represents a clear policy signal aimed at limiting the influence of individuals associated with the Gaddafi era on the electoral process, while still allowing for nuanced considerations of eligibility in other respects. The broadcast underscored a careful scrutiny of candidates’ past affiliations, signaling a broader strategy to foster trust in the electoral system among voters and international observers alike.
Despite this restriction, the report raised questions about whether other figures tied to the former regime might still run, specifically mentioning Seyful Islam Gaddafi as a potential presidential contender. The idea that a member of the Gaddafi family could appear on the ballot generated widespread attention and debate about the limits of political redemption, the timeline for any potential candidacy, and the pathways available to individuals seeking public office after decades of upheaval.
Al Hadath further noted that representatives of the council and parliament discussed the eligibility of candidates holding dual citizenship. The source quoted by the channel suggested that the committee is open to allowing dual nationals to compete, provided they formally renounce foreign citizenship if elected. This conditional approach reflects a broader international norm aimed at ensuring loyalty and alignment with national interests while accommodating the realities of modern, globally mobile political figures. The discussion did not clarify whether active-duty military personnel would be permitted to run, leaving that question unresolved for the moment and subject to subsequent deliberation among the same legislative bodies.
In another development, the Permanent Libyan Parliament, known as the House of Representatives, reportedly affirmed a crucial decision related to the administration of government leadership. The report indicated that the body would proceed with a vote on a motion of no confidence against the current prime minister, Fathi Bashagha, on a date that was set for Tuesday, May 16. This potential shift in leadership would mark a significant moment in Libya’s political landscape, signaling ongoing tensions between rival factions and shaping the conditions under which elections would be conducted. The timeline and outcome of such a vote remained a pivotal factor influencing candidate eligibility, policy direction, and the overall timetable for national elections in the country.