Kurdistan President Urges All Parties to Ensure Peaceful Electoral Campaigns

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has called on all political parties in Iraq and the autonomous region to ensure the civic and peaceful campaigns of the highest level of responsibility ahead of the October elections.

"Campaigns should not exhaust people or create chaos. Slander and unfounded smear attacks against candidates, especially against women contenders should strongly be renounced," Barzani said in a statement published by his office. "All sides, the administration and security institutions, the media and the civil society should cooperate to ensure a free and fair election campaign within the framework of the law in which the rights of all candidates are safeguarded."

The president further reminded that the common objective of all political parties in Baghdad is to consolidate democracy and serve the interests of Iraq, in general, and preserve the constructional rights of the Kurdistan Region in particular.

"The election campaigns should in no ways undermine or harm future cooperation, partnership, and collective efforts in Baghdad. To vote is to exercise a right, which carries with it duties and responsibilities," Barzani continued.

He also stressed that the joint message of all sides should be that all citizens would have the chance to exercise their rights and take responsibility and that all sides together take part in the efforts to change and create a better future.

"This election is important for the people of Iraq, and the international community attaches importance to it, which is why the United Nations and the European Union are sending their teams to closely monitor the polls. I wish all sides a great campaign and free and fair elections which earn the trust of everyone."

The Iraqi parliamentary election is scheduled for 10th October 2021 while the electoral campaigns have already begun in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Source: BasNews site

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