On June 25, 2025, the AIN Network for Election Monitoring organized an awareness forum targeting religious leaders, tribal sheikhs, and community figures in Karbala Province. This activity was part of the project "Democracy and Transparency, Civic Engagement, and Freedom of Media," funded by the European Union, in partnership with the Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) and in collaboration with the Shams and Tamouz election monitoring networks.

The forum was held at the Human Rights Directorate Hall in Holy Karbala, where Mr. Alaa Al-Asadi, AIN Network Coordinator, opened the session with a speech emphasizing the critical role of religious leaders, tribal figures, and community dignitaries in raising voter awareness and encouraging citizens to visit registration centers and actively participate in the upcoming elections.

Following that, Mr. Najeh Al-Hassani, Technical Assistant at the Karbala Election Office, provided a detailed explanation of the Independent High Electoral Commission’s (IHEC) work, highlighting the importance of broad participation in the next elections.

Mr. Haider Salman, representative of the Department of Political Parties and Candidates’ Affairs, then discussed the Political Parties Law, outlining the requirements and conditions for candidates.

Mr. Mustafa Sahib, Head of the Legal Department at the Karbala Office, presented a comprehensive overview of the election law and the legal procedures followed by the Commission, also answering various questions from the participants.

In the same context, Mr. Razzaq Al-Asadi, Head of the Media and Public Communication Division at the Karbala Election Office, spoke about the importance of media influence on voters' awareness, stressing the powerful role religious and tribal leaders play in shaping public opinion and promoting active participation in the 2025 elections.