UN mission urges ‘awareness and responsibility’ in Iraq’s parliamentary elections
ISTANBUL
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Saturday urged “awareness and responsibility” in that country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for Nov. 11.
It came in a statement by Mohamed al Hassan, the special representative of the UN secretary-general and head of UNAMI, following his visit to the headquarters of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in Baghdad, accompanied by Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid.
The statement said the UN delegation met IHEC Chairman Omar Ahmed Mohammed and members of the Commission’s board to review preparations for the elections.
Al Hassan expressed confidence in the Commission’s work and its members, calling for “the highest degrees of integrity and independence to safeguard the security, interests, and future of Iraq.”
He voiced hope for “wide participation by the Iraqi people, exercising their constitutional right in these elections with full sincerity.”
Al Hassan urged Iraqis to “participate effectively in the electoral process with awareness and responsibility, and urge them to make good choices of candidates — those capable of serving Iraq.”
“Our hope is to see this dear and precious country move forward with steady and balanced steps toward greater stability and prosperity,” said al Hassan
He stressed that “Iraq deserves — and is in need of — leaders who are able to translate the legitimate aspirations of the Iraqi people into tangible reality, away from sectarianism, favoritism, factionalism, and false slogans.”
Iraq entered an electoral silence period early Saturday, one day before voters head to the ballot for parliamentary elections, while Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani urged citizens to participate widely in Sunday’s polls.
The blackout began at 7 am local time (0400GMT), during which political entities and parties are prohibited from promoting their campaigns or candidates until polls close, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Independent High Electoral Commission spokeswoman Jumana al-Ghalai told Anadolu that the commission is “fully prepared to hold the special vote on Nov. 9 and the general vote on Nov. 11.”
The special vote covers security personnel, army members, medical staff, and prisoners who cannot participate in the general election.
A total of 7,768 candidates, including 5,520 men and 2,248 women, are competing for 329 seats in the Council of Representatives, which elects the president and grants confidence to the government. Roughly 21 million Iraqis are eligible to vote, according to the Commission.
The current parliament, elected Jan. 9, 2022, serves a four-year term that ends Jan. 8, 2026. Legislative elections must be held at least 45 days before the end of the parliamentary term.
Shia parties and blocs hold a majority in the legislature. Power in Iraq is traditionally divided among the main communities: the presidency goes to the Kurds, premiership to Shias and the speakership of parliament to Sunnis.
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