Salih: The upcoming elections are fateful
Sulaymaniyah – INA
The President of the Republic, Barham Salih, confirmed today, Sunday, that the upcoming elections are fateful, with the need to provide integrity and transparency in the voting process to ensure fair representation of Iraqis.
According to a statement from the Presidency's Media Office, which was received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), "Salih received at his residence in the city of Sulaymaniyah the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Jenin Hennes Plasschaert."
During the meeting, it was emphasized to support the statement of the supreme religious authority, Grand Ayatollah His Eminence Ali al-Sistani, that the parliamentary elections scheduled for next year are fateful, and the necessary conditions must be provided that give their results credibility and confidence, and the completion of the government program in the application of social justice, the prosecution of criminals and the fight against Corruption, enhancing the performance of the security forces, imposing the prestige of the state and confining weapons in its hands.
The President of the Republic stressed, "The need to follow a roadmap for holding elections, starting first with the completion of legislation of a fair electoral law that guarantees true representation for all Iraqis and reflects their free will in choosing their representatives without influences and pressures, so that its results are compatible with the popular will towards change, and full faith in Their representation in the government and the House of Representatives. "
Dr. Barham Salih pointed out that "the second and most important stage lies in providing the utmost integrity and transparency in the voting process, and the need to take strict measures to prevent fraud and manipulation in the electoral process."
The President of the Republic affirmed that "the upcoming elections are crucial and important, and they come after popular demonstrations calling for reform and change," adding that "the upcoming vote must be a real response to the national public opinion and the requirements of political and service life that the Iraqis deserve, and for the peaceful path to achieve the desired reforms.”.
Salih pointed to "the importance of ensuring the opportunity to participate in the elections for all Iraqi people of all sects, resolving the outstanding issues that prevent this, and providing the legal and administrative requirements for the participation of the displaced, the displaced and others."
He stressed "the importance of coordinating the United Nations mission with the Electoral Commission in monitoring the stages of the electoral process in a manner that meets the requirements of integrity, transparency and will, and enhances confidence and confidence among the voters."