Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – Kurdistan Regional Government Department of Foreign Relations today hosted a special session for the officials of the Kurdistan’s Independent High Electoral and Referendum Commission (IHERC) to brief diplomats and foreign representatives in Erbil on the mission of the Commission.

Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of the KRG Foreign Relations, opened the session welcoming diplomats and officials of IHERC. Minister Mustafa called upon foreign representatives in the Kurdistan Region to support and assist the IHERC of the Kurdistan Region.

“We need the support of our friends in the international community to strengthen this commission as it will be the guarantor of free and fair election in the Region,” the Minister added.

On behalf of the diplomatic corps, the Consul General of Palestine, Nazmi Hazouri, who serves as the dean of the diplomats, thanked the DFR for organizing the session and congratulated the formation of the commission.  Ambassador Hazouri stated that the establishment of the commission is a step forward in the democratic process of the Kurdistan Region.

Hendren Mohammed Salih, Head of the IHERC of Kurdistan Region, outlined the reasons for the creation of the commission and stressed the importance of the commission as a tool to further promote free and fair elections in the region. 

“When we talk about democracy we talk about free and fair elections, in order to conduct free and fair elections there has to be a professional and capable body to administer elections,” the Head of the Commission added.

Deputy Head of the Commission gave an overview of the structure, formation and responsibilities of the commission. He assured the diplomats that the formation of the IHERC of the Kurdistan Region is in line with the Federal Constitution of Iraq as the constitution grants the regions the right to form independent commissions.

Head of the Commission called upon diplomats based in Erbil to support the commission through organizing advanced training courses for the members of the board of commissioners, providing technical and logistical support, encouraging election commissions of their respective countries to come forward and support the commission, and to invite members of the board of commissioners of Kurdistan’s IHERC to observe elections in their respective countries and vice versa.

Diplomats attending the meeting commended the formation of the commission and expressed their readiness to explore means of supporting the commission.

The meeting was attended  by representatives of Palestine, Republic of France, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Turkey, People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom, Republic of Italy, Republic of South Korea, Federal Republic of Germany,  Republic of Romania,  Islamic Republic of Iran,  Russian Federation,  Republic of Hungary,  Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,  State of Kuwait,  Kingdom of Netherlands,  Arab Republic of Egypt, United States of America,  Czech Republic,  Canada,  Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Sudan, EU Delegation Liaison Office  and UNAMI.