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Iraq: UN envoy calls for all to vote in upcoming elections as way to reconciliation

2 December 2005 – Reaffirming his plea, less than two weeks before elections, for all segments of Iraqi society to be included in the political transition, the senior United Nations envoy in the war-torn country today called for a transparent political process that is responsive to the aspirations of all of Iraq’s communities.

“The current political process should be inclusive, and it must be credible, with every segment of Iraqi society fully empowered to participate in the upcoming 15 December election, free to make their choice as this process is theirs alone and will chart their political destiny for years to come,” Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative Ashraf Qazi said in a statement.

Sunni Arabs, who represent 20 per cent of the population but were the dominant political force in Saddam Hussein's ousted regime, largely stayed away from elections last January, and the present transitional government is dominated by Shiite Arabs, some 60 per cent of the people, and mainly Sunni Kurds, representing a further 20 per cent.

Mr. Qazi emphasized the need for mutual respect among the different communities to allow the electoral process to serve as a catalyst for reconciliation.

The envoy, who has consistently advocated the visible presence of international observers, called on election and government bodies to maintain vigilant accountability to ensure the integrity of the vote, and to refrain from imposing measures that discourage voters.

It is particularly important that the election be conducted with the highest standards of courtesy and respect by all concerned parties, and that voters exercise their democratic rights free from any form of pressure or intimidation, he said.

He urged all Iraqis to vote, especially as this election will bring about their first permanent Council of Representatives which will, in turn, determine the government. It is therefore critical that all Iraqis see the elections as credible, he said, urging voters and local observers to report irregularities promptly in writing and through the established mechanisms for filing complaints.