Libya's constitution referendum likely before Feb end: official

TRIPOLI - Head of the Libyan Higher National Commission of Elections, Imad Al-Sayah, on Thursday said that a referendum of a permanent constitution could be held before the end of February 2019.

"By studying the technical ability of the commission, referendum on the constitution could be held before the end of February next year. This will be determined accurately with the relevant institutions," Al-Sayah told a press conference in the capital Tripoli.

"There are a number of requirements that must be met before the operation, the most important of which is the security plan for the polling stations, the commission staff, and the voters, especially since there are nearly 2,000 polling stations in all Libyan cities," he added.

Al-Sayah stressed that the commission would not hold any elections, including the constitution referendum, without a security plan and financial budget.

In July, the Constitution Draft Assembly passed a draft constitution for the country.

The eastern-based House of Representatives (Parliament) approved the constitution referendum law in September.

Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid political division, insecurity and chaos.