TUNIS, December 22, Libya said on Wednesday that it would not take place but it hasn't set a new date or worked out how to move forward to avoid a return to conflict.
This sets out the main issues and what might happen next.
Libya fell apart after the 2011 revolt against Muammar Gaddafi and split between the eastern and western factions in 2014. The peace process follows the collapse of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar's 14 month assault on Tripoli in 2020.
Eastern and southern areas are held by Haftar's LNA, with western areas including Tripoli held by various armed forces that backed the government there.
A year ago, the United Nations held talks between delegates from all factions to chart a path forward. They agreed to create a unity government to rule until the simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections on December 24.
Libya's old institutions, along with major factions and potential candidates, did not agree on rules for the election, including its schedule, what powers the new president or parliament would have, and who could run.
Aguila Saleh, who is a presidential candidate, issued a law setting a first round of the presidential election for December 24 with a second round run-off and a parliamentary election afterwards.
The election came down to a winner-takes contest between candidates from violently opposing factions after putting the presidential vote first.
Other political institutions opposed the law, accusing Saleh of passing it without any proper parliamentary process.
The law of Saleh formed the basis of the electoral process and the disputes over it grew wider as very divisive candidates entered the contest.
Some 98 people registered for the presidential race - including some who were seen as unacceptable in parts of the country or to powerful armed factions.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is able to find out more about him at: www.reuters. Middle-east Libya-gaddafi leadership-bid open-old wounds -- 2021 -- 13 registered despite his conviction in 2015 in Tripoli court of war crimes during the rebellion that ousted his father Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, whose Libyan National Army waged a destructive 14 month offensive against Tripoli, is rejected as a possible president by armed factions and many people in western areas.
Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, the interim prime minister, had promised not to stand for election when he was appointed. Other candidates say that his presence on the ballot is unfair.
Without a clear agreement on the rules or who would enforce them or adjudicate disputes, the electoral commission, the parliament's election committee and the fragmented judiciary were unable to agree a final list of eligible candidates.
Most of Libya is controlled by the armed forces that back rival candidates, and without extensive independent monitoring there would be claims of fraud or voter intimidation.
The risks were shown by two incidents last month. Fighters closed a court to stop Gaddafi's lawyers from filing an appeal against his disqualification. The electoral commission said fighters had raided several of its offices, stealing voting cards.
A disputed result could cause the peace process to unravel, similar to the aftermath of the 2014 election when rival administrations backed each other.
The election commission has suggested a one-month delay, but the parliament may seek a longer one. Negotiations continue between candidates, political institutions, and foreign powers.
A short delay may not be enough to resolve the arguments that caused Friday's vote. Fixing the problems could take more time, raising questions about whether the interim government could stay in place.
The future of Dbeibah and his government during the coming period has become one of the main topics of dispute between rival camps.
There is a chance that eastern factions could form a breakaway government at war with Dbeibah's administration in Tripoli if the peace process falls apart. The political crisis could add to local disputes between rival armed groups that have mobilised in western Libya in recent weeks, leading to a new round of fighting inside the capital.