Maysan Hosts Electoral Awareness Forum with the Participation of Electoral Commission Officials, Civil Society, and Media Representatives

Maysan – Tuesday, 3 June 2025

The Electoral Awareness Forum for Media Professionals was held in Maysan Governorate, with broad participation from officials of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, and media unions. The forum was organized as part of the activities of the project "Democracy and Transparency: Empowering Civic Engagement and Media Freedom," implemented by the EIN Network for Election Monitoring and Democracy, in partnership with Shams and Tammuz election monitoring networks, and funded by the European Union.

The forum was attended by Mr. Mohammed Hleiji, Director of the IHEC Maysan Office, Mr. Ali Mustafa, Deputy Director of the Office, and Mr. Alaa Zahraw, representative of the Legal Division. Also present were Dr. Maysoon Abduljabbar, Advisor to the Governor of Maysan on Women's Affairs, Ms. Iman Hameed Al-Lami, Head of the Women's Empowerment Department at the Governorate, and Mr. Firas Al-Muhammadawi, Director of the Office of Local and International Organizations in Maysan.

The event also welcomed the President and members of the Journalists’ Union in Maysan, representatives of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, some members of the sub-committee of the Electoral Awareness Forum, and Mr. Haidar Al-Battat, Coordinator of the Shams Network in Maysan.

The session was opened by Mr. Mohammed Hleiji, who delivered a welcoming speech emphasizing the essential role played by election monitoring networks, civil society organizations, and media institutions in enhancing electoral awareness among citizens. He stressed the importance of effective partnerships with journalists to promote key messages and encourage voter participation in the upcoming elections.

Following that, Mr. Alaa Zahraw, a legal expert and staff member of the Legal Division at the IHEC Maysan Office, provided a comprehensive explanation of the legal framework for elections, focusing on the Iraqi Council of Representatives Election Law, and highlighted the significance of citizens’ engagement in updating voter records and participating in the electoral process.

The forum concluded with an open discussion, during which attendees’ questions were addressed by legal expert Alaa Zahraw and Mr. Alaa Faleh Al-Subaihawi, Coordinator of the EIN Network in Maysan, in an engaging and participatory atmosphere.