Head of U.N. Mission travels to southern Iraq to discuss importance of 10 October Elections

Baghdad, 2 October 2021 – The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, traveled today to Basra and Nasiriyah.

During her one-day trip in southern Iraq, she met with a wide range of Iraqi interlocutors, including government officials and members of civil society. The overall goal of her visit was to hear voters’ views on the upcoming elections and explain how the United Nations is supporting the electoral process.

Landing first in Nasiriyah, the SRSG met with Governor Ahmed al-Khafaji of the Governorate of Dhi Qar. They spoke about the importance of Iraq's 10 October elections and ongoing United Nations support to the electoral process.

Also in Dhi Qar, where Iraq’s “October” protest movement started, the SRSG met with civil society and paid tribute to the courage of so many Iraqis, while reiterating the United Nations’ support to Iraq on its road to stability. She also underlined the value of casting one’s vote.

Travelling next to Basra, the SRSG was received by Governor Asaad Al Eidani. During their meeting, they agreed on the need for all stakeholders to respect the democratic process and protect the rights of all candidates and voters - ahead of and on 10 October.

The SRSG also met with members of civil society. Recalling that early elections were a key popular demand during Iraq’s October 2019 protests, she emphasized the importance of ensuring accountability, exercising one’s electoral rights, and helping to shape the country's future.

While in Basra today, the SRSG also met UN personnel who recently arrived from all across the globe to monitor the elections in southern Iraq before and on Election Day.

During today’s encounters, the SRSG stressed the importance of casting one’s vote, as a vote not cast could in fact help those to whom one may be opposed. She also emphasized that, like Iraqis, the world wanted to see a stable and prosperous Iraq.

Author:  Office of Electoral Assistance, UNAMI