Al-Ein Network Participates in a Specialized Workshop on Protecting the Electoral Process in Cooperation with International IDEA

Baghdad – July 2025

Al-Ein Election Monitoring Network, represented by its President Mr. Saad Al-Battat, participated in a specialized workshop titled "Protecting the Electoral Process", organized in cooperation with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), as part of the network’s long-term election monitoring efforts.

The workshop was held from July 12 to 14, with the participation of representatives from the Election Monitoring Alliance, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) — including the Head of the Electoral Administration, Judge Amer Al-Husseini — as well as the directors of the Kurdistan Region and Erbil electoral offices, several staff members from the national office, civil society organizations, trade unions, and academic experts.

The workshop addressed several key topics related to enhancing electoral integrity and resulted in a set of important recommendations and outcomes. These included: strengthening cooperation between oversight bodies and the Commission to enhance protection of the electoral process; improving mechanisms for reporting electoral violations and ensuring whistleblower protection; raising public awareness about citizens’ roles in safeguarding electoral integrity; increasing the involvement of civil society organizations in all phases of the electoral process; proposing improvements to the Commission’s response to violations and documentation mechanisms; and designing specialized training programs for observers to build their capacity in reporting and documenting electoral breaches effectively.

This workshop reflects Al-Ain Network’s commitment, alongside its international partners, to supporting the democratic process in Iraq and reinforcing transparency and trust in the upcoming electoral cycle.