Iraq three presidencies meeting with UN regarding the elections

INA – BAGHDAD

A meeting of Iraq’s three presidencies and the President of the Supreme Judicial Council was held in Baghdad Palace with the head and members of the Independent High Electoral Commission as well as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.

In the interest and integrity of the electoral process next year, a meeting was held today at the Baghdad, according to the statement by the President’s office that Iraqi News Agency – INA.

During the meeting, the attendees discussed the important files regarding the electoral process in order to provide a safe and stable environment for making the elections and to check on the integrity of the procedures applied by the Commission and the relevant authorities to implement the electoral process and address the challenges.

The statement included the importance of increasing the biometric registration rate and setting up mechanisms that assist in the registration process for the purpose of adopting the biometric card exclusively in the upcoming elections, as well as taking appropriate measures in accordance with the law to ensure that the IDPs, displaced and Iraqis living abroad vote biometrically.

They also discussed the necessity of contracting with a reputable international company to test the election software in consultation with UN team.

The importance of coordination and support from the United Nations team with the commission was also highlighted to ensure effective monitoring in accordance to the international standards to ensure the integrity of the elections, and launch a national campaign that helps restoring voter confidence in the electoral process and motivates them to participate in the elections.