03:05N/A
The High Council of State (HCS) suspended its electoral session on Tuesday after a ballot led to a deadlock in the leadership race between former President Khalid Al-Mishri and current President Mohamed Takala, who referred the disputed result to the Administrative Court.
The session, attended by 139 HCS members, began with three candidates: Khalid Al-Mishri, Mohamed Takala, and Adel Karmos. In the first round, Takala led with 67 votes, followed by Al-Mishri with 54, which led to Karmos’s elimination. The second round of voting saw Al-Mishri receive 69 votes to Takala's 68.
Controversy arose when a ballot paper with Takala’s name written on the back instead of in the designated area sparked debate over its validity. If this ballot is included, the result would be tied, necessitating a third round of voting. If excluded, Al-Mishri would be declared the winner by a single vote.
"In my point of view, the court will reject Takala's appeal for being beyond its jurisdiction because the HCS Rules of Procedure is crystal clear," said Mansour Al-Hassadi, a member of the Supreme Council of the State. "Paragraph (97) stipulates: 'A ballot paper is considered void if it shows any marking or line.' There has been an evident and flagrant marking".
"During the voting, there were no objections, and the paper was replaced with white paper. After announcing the results, the opposing party attempted to coerce Dr Muhammad Takala into rejecting the results," explained Al-Hassadi. "The elections were valid and the paper was considered void according to HCS Rules of Procedure. Dr Muhammad Takala or his backer wants to appeal, every Libyan citizen has the right to appeal to the judiciary in any case whatsoever".
As the debate over the disputed ballot intensified, the HCS cut the live broadcast and suspended proceedings without announcing a final result. Al-Mishri, who has held the position since 2018, declared victory and urged acceptance, but Takala, who led the HCS for one year, challenged the result and referred the case to the Administrative Court, leaving the final decision pending judicial review.
According to media reports, Takala has appointed First Deputy Masoud Obeid to manage the HCS affairs pending a final court decision.
The HCS elections on Tuesday were the ninth since its establishment in 2015 following the political agreement in Skhirat, Morocco.
Libya remains divided between warring factions, with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and a rival faction controlling the east. This division emerged after the overthrow and killing of former president Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which followed NATO intervention.
'Likely to reject Takala's appeal' - Tripoli High Council elections suspended over ballot dispute, case referred to court
The High Council of State (HCS) suspended its electoral session on Tuesday after a ballot led to a deadlock in the leadership race between former President Khalid Al-Mishri and current President Mohamed Takala, who referred the disputed result to the Administrative Court.
The session, attended by 139 HCS members, began with three candidates: Khalid Al-Mishri, Mohamed Takala, and Adel Karmos. In the first round, Takala led with 67 votes, followed by Al-Mishri with 54, which led to Karmos’s elimination. The second round of voting saw Al-Mishri receive 69 votes to Takala's 68.
Controversy arose when a ballot paper with Takala’s name written on the back instead of in the designated area sparked debate over its validity. If this ballot is included, the result would be tied, necessitating a third round of voting. If excluded, Al-Mishri would be declared the winner by a single vote.
"In my point of view, the court will reject Takala's appeal for being beyond its jurisdiction because the HCS Rules of Procedure is crystal clear," said Mansour Al-Hassadi, a member of the Supreme Council of the State. "Paragraph (97) stipulates: 'A ballot paper is considered void if it shows any marking or line.' There has been an evident and flagrant marking".
"During the voting, there were no objections, and the paper was replaced with white paper. After announcing the results, the opposing party attempted to coerce Dr Muhammad Takala into rejecting the results," explained Al-Hassadi. "The elections were valid and the paper was considered void according to HCS Rules of Procedure. Dr Muhammad Takala or his backer wants to appeal, every Libyan citizen has the right to appeal to the judiciary in any case whatsoever".
As the debate over the disputed ballot intensified, the HCS cut the live broadcast and suspended proceedings without announcing a final result. Al-Mishri, who has held the position since 2018, declared victory and urged acceptance, but Takala, who led the HCS for one year, challenged the result and referred the case to the Administrative Court, leaving the final decision pending judicial review.
According to media reports, Takala has appointed First Deputy Masoud Obeid to manage the HCS affairs pending a final court decision.
The HCS elections on Tuesday were the ninth since its establishment in 2015 following the political agreement in Skhirat, Morocco.
Libya remains divided between warring factions, with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and a rival faction controlling the east. This division emerged after the overthrow and killing of former president Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which followed NATO intervention.
N/A
The High Council of State (HCS) suspended its electoral session on Tuesday after a ballot led to a deadlock in the leadership race between former President Khalid Al-Mishri and current President Mohamed Takala, who referred the disputed result to the Administrative Court.
The session, attended by 139 HCS members, began with three candidates: Khalid Al-Mishri, Mohamed Takala, and Adel Karmos. In the first round, Takala led with 67 votes, followed by Al-Mishri with 54, which led to Karmos’s elimination. The second round of voting saw Al-Mishri receive 69 votes to Takala's 68.
Controversy arose when a ballot paper with Takala’s name written on the back instead of in the designated area sparked debate over its validity. If this ballot is included, the result would be tied, necessitating a third round of voting. If excluded, Al-Mishri would be declared the winner by a single vote.
"In my point of view, the court will reject Takala's appeal for being beyond its jurisdiction because the HCS Rules of Procedure is crystal clear," said Mansour Al-Hassadi, a member of the Supreme Council of the State. "Paragraph (97) stipulates: 'A ballot paper is considered void if it shows any marking or line.' There has been an evident and flagrant marking".
"During the voting, there were no objections, and the paper was replaced with white paper. After announcing the results, the opposing party attempted to coerce Dr Muhammad Takala into rejecting the results," explained Al-Hassadi. "The elections were valid and the paper was considered void according to HCS Rules of Procedure. Dr Muhammad Takala or his backer wants to appeal, every Libyan citizen has the right to appeal to the judiciary in any case whatsoever".
As the debate over the disputed ballot intensified, the HCS cut the live broadcast and suspended proceedings without announcing a final result. Al-Mishri, who has held the position since 2018, declared victory and urged acceptance, but Takala, who led the HCS for one year, challenged the result and referred the case to the Administrative Court, leaving the final decision pending judicial review.
According to media reports, Takala has appointed First Deputy Masoud Obeid to manage the HCS affairs pending a final court decision.
The HCS elections on Tuesday were the ninth since its establishment in 2015 following the political agreement in Skhirat, Morocco.
Libya remains divided between warring factions, with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and a rival faction controlling the east. This division emerged after the overthrow and killing of former president Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which followed NATO intervention.