EIN Organizes Electoral Awareness Forum for Journalists in Kirkuk within the “Democracy and Transparency” Project

Kirkuk – Tuesday, June 17, 2025

EIN Network for Election Monitoring and Democracy organized an electoral awareness forum for journalists in Kirkuk, as part of the "Democracy and Transparency: Empowering Civic Engagement and Media Freedom" project. The project is implemented in partnership with Shams Network and Tammuz Network, with funding from the European Union.

The forum was held in collaboration with the Kirkuk Office of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and the Kirkuk branch of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, and was attended by a group of journalists and media professionals from various local outlets.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Mohammed Al-Jubouri, representative of EIN, who congratulated the Iraqi press community on the occasion of the 156th anniversary of Iraqi Journalism Day, and praised the critical role of journalists in supporting democratic processes and enhancing citizens’ awareness of the upcoming elections.

Razkar Shawani, Media Officer of the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate in Kirkuk, emphasized the importance of professional media coverage in the success of the electoral process, and commended the Syndicate’s efforts in promoting civic engagement through awareness campaigns.

Ali Abbas Al-Bayati, Media Officer of the IHEC Kirkuk Office, presented the technical and administrative preparations underway for the upcoming Council of Representatives elections scheduled for November 11, 2025. He highlighted the Commission’s cooperation with media institutions to deliver clear awareness messages to voters, and appreciated the journalists’ professional role in covering the electoral campaign.

Issam Shawkat, representative of IHEC in Kirkuk, delivered a presentation on the legal framework governing the electoral process, underscoring the role of the media in raising public awareness and monitoring electoral events to ensure transparency and integrity.

The forum concluded with an open dialogue session, during which participants raised questions and contributed insights related to the legal and technical aspects of the elections. The discussion helped deepen journalistic understanding and addressed potential challenges in upcoming electoral coverage.