President Salih holds a meeting to discuss the elections, Plasschaert attends

INA – BAGHDAD
 
President Barham Salih, held a meeting on Wednesday, in the presence of the UN envoy, Jeanine Plasschaert, to discuss the elections.
 
The meeting was held with the head and members of the Independent High Electoral Commission while Plasschaert attended the meeting as well, according to the Presidency of the Republic statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
 

During the meeting, Salih announced the imminent introduction of a code of conduct to the political forces, while stressing the need to restore Iraqis' confidence in the electoral process.
 
“The upcoming elections are pivotal, because they come after a popular movement and a broad national consensus to correct the paths and achieve radical reforms," said Salih in his speech.
 
He noted that, "these elections are a great Iraqi entitlement, and they will have repercussions and effects on the whole region,”
 
The President announced, "the imminent introduction of a code of conduct to the political forces to be a comprehensive framework for electoral behavior, based on respect for the constitution and legal regulations and the recognition that elections are the decisive factor,"
 
“There is a need to restore Iraqis' confidence in the electoral process after the political and electoral process was questioned because of the violations that accompanied by previous electoral experiences,” he stressed.
 
Salih added, "Ensuring broad participation should be a top priority, so that the elections will be the true peaceful path to change and reform the situation," praising the "Efforts of the Electoral Commission to organize the elections, and the efforts of the UN team and its cooperation with the Commission,"
 
"Political forces and social activities have a responsibility to encourage citizens to participate broadly, and to ensure that the elections are different this time. The voter feels that his voice is preserved,” he pointed out.