The SRSG emphasizes the importance of women\'s participation for the success of the elections
22 January 2009
Baghdad, 22 January 2009 - In the run-up to the Governorate Council elections, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Staffan de Mistura, emphasized the importance of women\'s full participation for the success of the elections. "The United Nations strongly supports the rightful aspiration of Iraqi women to see the law regarding the women\'s quota interpreted in a fair and appropriate way that leads to greater representation of women on the Governorate Councils", the SRSG said.
The IHEC adopted a seat allocation regulation that provides the maximum opportunity for women\'s representation under the current legal framework. "The IHEC has determined that among winning lists of three or more candidates, at least one winning candidate must be a woman among every three", the SRSG noted. "This is consistent with international best practice and, if properly applied, as we are working to see is the case, should ensure that women will have a central and important place on the newly elected councils".
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