Tripoli: Voting for the second group of municipal council elections in Libya is set to commence in approximately 52 municipalities at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. The elections are taking place under stringent security measures and arrangements.According to Libyan News Agency, the elections were initially planned for 63 municipalities, covering 41 in the western region, 13 in the eastern region, and nine in the southern region. However, on July 20, the Commission declared the suspension of elections in 11 municipalities due to the impossibility of conducting them, reducing the number to around 52 municipalities.Amid the anticipation surrounding the electoral process, logistical and security challenges have arisen. Several offices of the Electoral Commission have faced attacks, including an assault on its office in Zliten, east of Tripoli, where unknown gunmen fired a rocket causing material damage. Offices in Zawiya and the western coast east of Tripoli also suffered attacks, resulting in the burning of parts o f these facilities, including the commission's main warehouse in Zawiya, which housed voting materials.The National Elections Commission condemned these attacks, describing them as "barbaric acts" and blatant assaults on the electoral process, aimed at preventing Libyan citizens from exercising their legitimate rights. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to proceed with the elections, emphasizing its dedication to organizing free and fair elections in line with international standards.Meanwhile, several offices of the High National Elections Commission across Libyan municipalities have announced their readiness to conduct the elections, receiving support from local security directorates.The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) strongly condemned the attacks on the National Elections Commission offices in Zliten, Zawiya, and the western coast, labeling them as criminal acts intended to deny Libyans their political rights. The Mission reiterated its support for the Commission and urged se curity officials to provide essential support to ensure that Libyans can exercise their political rights without fear or intimidation.UNSMIL also called for a comprehensive investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the attacks on the Commission's offices in various Libyan cities.