Project Title: Libya Elections and Governance Support Program (LEGS)

Duration: October 2012 – October 2017

Objective:

To strengthen citizen confidence in Libya’s elected government during a key political transition in the country. A primary component of this project is to increase public and stakeholder confidence in the integrity of elections as a vehicle for peacefully and democratically selecting leaders. Additionally, this program seeks to increase women’s and marginalized groups’ genuine inclusion and participation such that their views and interests are incorporated into Libyan governing and legislative processes.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

1. Provide  technical support and advice to the Libyan High National Election Commission (HNEC), including support for strategic planning, a study on out-of-county voting,  and planning for elections security;
2. Increase public understanding of processes related to Libya’s political transition;
3. Provide technical support and advice to the Judiciary and HNEC on the legal framework for elections and electoral dispute resolution;
4. Build the capacity of HNEC and watchdog civil society organizations to increase transparency in political/campaign finance;
5. Increase women’s and marginalized groups’ genuine inclusion and participation in Libyan electoral and civic processes; and
6. Increase awareness and access for persons with disabilities.

Program Status/Achievements:

• In 2015, LEGS convened 67 attendees from the MENA region in partnership with the UN to promote women's participation in the electoral process, and built leadership, communication, and advocacy skills of 24 youths who completed 6-week sponsored internships in Libya;
• Organized roundtables with Libyan judges and members of the HNEC legal department to analyze the electoral law and to prepare analytical studies on other regional electoral frameworks;
• Supported efforts by Libyan Disabled Persons Organizations to increase access to electoral processes in Libya;
• Held a roundtable for 18 civil socity organization members to introduce campaign finance monitoring, and monitoring methodologies, tools, and best practices;
• In late 2016, LEGS launched the “Rights Unite” campaign with disabilities sensitivity workshops for journalists and seminars at 14 schools in nine cities that reached more than 800 children;
• In early 2017, LEGS conducted a nationwide survey to examine citizens’ intentions to vote and engage in political events.