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This will be the first election in Iraq to let people elect their representatives at the district level
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Up until 2018, the framework was that of proportional representation to the country’s unicameral legislative system
The Iraq office of the United Nations has said Japan has pledged JPY216 million ($1.97 million) to help it conduct elections in the Middle-Eastern country.
The UN said in a statement that it welcomed the contribution, which is expected to go directly to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, or UNAMI.
The money will be used to support and assist capacity-building within the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission, or IHEC.
This, in turn, is expected to help the country conduct its parliamentary elections on October 10, the country’s first since 2018.
The UN statement quoted Suzuki Kotaro, ambassador of Japan to Iraq, as saying: “The election is the most fundamental occasion to translate Iraqi people’s will and aspirations into national politics.”
He added: “I hope that the assistance from the government and people of Japan will help strengthen IHEC’s IT capacities and implementation of Covid-19 preventive measures.”
He also said: “I believe that our assistance contributes to the Iraqi government’s effort in ensuring transparency and credibility of the upcoming elections.”
This will be the first election in Iraq to let people elect their representatives at the district level, as opposed to proportional representation to the country’s unicameral legislative system that has taken place so far.
The change was brought about through electoral reforms enacted in the aftermath of the 2019 fuel protests in the country.
