Campaign violations in Nineveh Governorate ahead of Iraqi parliamentary elections

BAGHDAD — In statements to a delegation of local and foreign media outlets, Iraqi President Barham Saleh spoke about the pivotal role that Iraq plays in ensuring security and peace in the region, a role which some terrorist organizations are seeking to undermine. He also discussed the Baghdad Conference which aims to ease tensions in the region through cooperation and partnership.

In his speech, Saleh focused on the upcoming legislative elections and stressed the necessity of holding them on time, saying that they should not be postponed or canceled for any reason.

In addition, the Independent High Electoral Commission announced the date for holding the elections for displaced people inside Iraq, approximately 126,000 people.

Assistant Media Spokesperson for the Commission Nebras Abu Souda declared that the elections for the displaced people will take place on 8 October and require the use of biometric cards. In addition, polling stations designated for the displaced people will be established inside displacement camps. Special centers for the displaced in Baghdad have also been identified.

In related news, Mayor of Mosul Zuhair al-Araji stated that some candidates had used public money to campaign in Nineveh Governorate, which is a violation of election law.

Al-Araji explained that a number of candidates were noticed at the locations of projects implemented by the governorate’s service departments. The candidates pretended to supervise the projects when they were really using the visit to campaign for reelection.

Al-Araji pointed out that the violating candidates were summoned and warned. In addition, written pledges were taken from them to prevent the violations from being repeated.

During a session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the U.S. welcomes the appointment of additional election observers by the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq. Thomas-Greenfield added that Washington as provided a grant of about $ 5,200,000 for the election monitoring team.

Thomas-Greenfield stressed the need for the militias of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to be held accountable for the killings of civil society activists in Iraq. She also confirmed the support of the U.S.-led International Coalition and NATO to the Iraqi Security Forces in fighting the Islamic State (ISIS).