Iraqi electoral commission calls on foreign countries to monitor upcoming elections

Source: 
Xinhua
Publication date: 
Jan 06 2021

BAGHDAD, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) called Tuesday on foreign countries and diplomatic missions in Iraq to monitor the upcoming elections slated for June 6.

The IHEC said in a statement that it also called on local organizations to monitor the elections at all its stages "to achieve fair elections."

The commission urged all eligible voters to check and update their voter registration records in registration centers across the country, starting from Jan. 2 to Feb. 2.

Separately, Iraqi President Barham Salih met with head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zidan, to discuss the upcoming elections.

A statement by the presidential media office said that Salih and Zidan underlined the need for everyone to join the efforts to ensure the independence and integrity of the elections.

They also highlighted the necessity to expedite the amendment of the law of the Federal Supreme Court, which must ratify the results of the elections, in addition to discussing coordination between the Presidency and the Supreme Judicial Council in the field of legislation.

Last July, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi set June 6, 2021, as the date for the early elections, which came in response to the anti-government protests and was designed to make it easier for independent politicians to win a seat in the parliament.

The previous parliamentary elections in Iraq were held on May 12, 2018, and the next elections were originally scheduled to take place in 2022.

Huaxia

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-01/06/c_139644165.htm