Kirkuk Hosts the "Electoral Awareness Forum for Religious Leaders and Tribal Sheikhs" as Part of the Democracy and Transparency Project

Kirkuk – Wednesday, June 4, 2025

 EIN Network for Election Monitoring and Democracy, in cooperation with the Independent High Electoral Commission / Kirkuk Office, organized a dialogue workshop titled “Electoral Awareness Forum for Religious Leaders and Tribal Sheikhs”, as part of the activities of the project “Democracy and Transparency: Empowering Civic Engagement and Media Freedom”, implemented in partnership with Shams and Tammuz networks and funded by the European Union. The project aims to raise citizens’ awareness about the importance of electoral participation and to promote the principles of integrity and transparency in the democratic process.

The forum witnessed the presence of a distinguished group of religious leaders from various sects and tribal sheikhs from different ethnic groups in Kirkuk Governorate, reflecting a spirit of coexistence and mutual understanding among the province’s diverse communities.

The workshop addressed several key topics, most notably: an overview of the electoral law, the role of citizens in supporting the democratic process, mechanisms to ensure electoral integrity, and the role of religious leaders and tribal sheikhs in promoting public awareness and encouraging positive participation in upcoming elections.

The session featured constructive discussions and valuable contributions, emphasizing the importance of unity among all stakeholders to support Iraq’s democratic transition. It highlighted a spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and solidarity among the participants from different backgrounds.

This forum represents a significant step within national efforts to promote active citizenship and strengthen trust in the electoral process by expanding the base of conscious and responsible community participation.