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Kofi Annan's Special Representative Talked To Iraqi Politicians Regarding Upcoming Elections

Meeting with Iraqi political parties, UN envoy stresses need for fair elections

Ashraf Qazi, Kofi Annan's Special Representative, met with political party leaders of Iraq in an attempt to provide fair and secure elections.

During his talks with officials from the Iraqi Islamic Party, the Iraqi Nationalist List and the Gathering for Loyalty for Iraq, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, Mr. Ashraf Qazi, listened to their concerns about the upcoming elections.

The need to hold free elections in an environment free of coercion topped the agenda of meetings today in Baghdad between the senior United Nations envoy to Iraq and representatives of various political parties.

Mr. Qazi, accompanied by the senior UN election official in Iraq, Craig Jenness, emphasized the importance of holding inclusive, participatory, transparent and fair elections, free from harassment and intimidation, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).

The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) has been providing humanitarian relief and support for the political transition, including help in organizing the elections and a constitutional referendum, since the end of the war that ousted Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003.

The delegates shared their ideas for conducting the 15 December elections in a positive atmosphere, and pledged to deal with any complaints through legal mechanisms, UNAMI said.