She noted advances in candidate lists, ballot printing and other election elements, with preparations for United Nations monitoring proceeding apace as the team is mostly deployed to Baghdad.

Meanwhile, the Independent High Electoral Commission is applying lessons learned, improving electoral mechanics — including an independent technology audit, new voter verification devices and real-time election results.

She noted that UNAMI is stepping up its strategic communication efforts to inform Iraqi voters. Addressing questions of how these elections will differ from those in 2018, she agreed that lack of trust in public authorities and institutions is long-standing and widespread.

However, as successful elections are not the sole responsibility of that Commission, she called on all stakeholders to commit to a transparent and credible process — ‘in words and in deeds’.

pgh/Pll/oda / ifb