ELECTIONS AND THE PROBLEMATIC OF STATE-BUILDING

Political Science

This study examines the problematic relationship between elections and state-building in Libya after 2011, highlighting that elections have not always functioned as a means of achieving stability. On the contrary, they have at times exacerbated political and regional divisions due to weak institutions, the absence of a constitution, and the interference of armed groups and external actors. The article reviews past electoral experiences, such as the 2012 General National Congress and the 2014 House of Representatives, demonstrating how elections have become instruments of conflict rather than tools for reconciliation. It further analyzes the role of the High National Elections Commission and the challenges it faces, including limited independence and the influence of political polarization. The study argues that state-building requires strong institutions, stable security, and an independent judiciary, and that elections must take place within a sound legal and societal framework. It warns that ongoing electoral corruption and vote-buying undermine state legitimacy, turning elections into mechanisms for reproducing political elites instead of achieving genuine change. The article concludes that elections could contribute to state-building in Libya if conditions of stability, transparency, and broad national consensus are met. However, under current circumstances, elections remain fraught with risk and are more likely to deepen existing divisions than to overcome them.

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