ERBIL - The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's announcement of setting a date for snap elections in the country.
Kadhimi, during a televised statement on Friday evening, announced that Iraq will hold early elections on June 6, 2021, calling on the parliament to send the election law to the president so as to be approved.
"Early elections fulfill a key popular demand on the road to greater stability and democracy in Iraq," reads a statement by the UNAMI.
It further reminded that the UN is ready to provide Iraq with technical advice and support to ensure a "free, fair, and credible" vote.
"Properly conducted credible, free, fair and inclusive elections can re-energize the political system and build public confidence, giving the people a voice and realizing their aspirations for better representation," the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said in a statement.
"It is the responsibility of the government, parliament, political parties, and other stakeholders to jointly ensure free, fair and credible elections in a conducive environment that places the interests of the country above all other considerations," she continued.