EIN Network Organizes Electoral Awareness Forum for Media Professionals in Babylon

Babylon – Monday, June 2, 2025

The EIN Network for Election Monitoring and Democracy, one of the partners in the Election Monitoring Networks Coalition, organized an Electoral Awareness Forum for Media Professionals in Babylon Governorate. The event was held at the Union of Workers’ Syndicates Hall as part of the activities of the project "Democracy and Transparency: Empowering Civic Engagement and Media Freedom", funded by the European Union.

The forum brought together a number of representatives from visual and audio media outlets, along with bloggers and activists in the media field. It began with a welcoming address by Mr. Thaer Al-Jubouri, EIN’s representative in Babylon, who introduced the project’s objectives, the action plan, and its target groups.

Following the opening remarks, the Technical Assistant to the Director of the IHEC Babylon Office and the Head of the Legal Division delivered a detailed presentation on the Iraqi Parliamentary Elections Law, explaining the mechanisms for voter registry updates, complaint procedures, and the handling of electoral violations. The presentation sparked an engaging discussion among attendees about various legal provisions and their practical application.

The forum also featured significant contributions from female media professionals, including questions regarding the criteria for calculating voter turnout—whether it is based on actual voters or the number of updated registrants.

The second part of the forum focused on the role of media in electoral awareness and monitoring. Representatives of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) reaffirmed their full support for journalists and media workers, pledging to facilitate their work and engage with their content. The importance of social media platforms was also emphasized as a vital tool for disseminating positive messages and encouraging voter participation.

This forum is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between civil society and electoral authorities, ensuring greater transparency and citizen engagement ahead of Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections.