Meeting with Iraqi political parties, UN envoy stresses need for fair elections

The need to hold free elections in an environment free of coercion topped the agenda of meetings today in Baghdad between the senior United Nations envoy to Iraq and representatives of various political parties.

During his talks with officials from the Iraqi Islamic Party, the Iraqi Nationalist List and the Gathering for Loyalty for Iraq, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, Ashraf Qazi, listened to their concerns about the upcoming elections.

Mr. Qazi, accompanied by the senior UN election official in Iraq, Craig Jenness, emphasized the importance of holding inclusive, participatory, transparent and fair elections, free from harassment and intimidation, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).

The delegates shared their ideas for conducting the 15 December elections in a positive atmosphere, and pledged to deal with any complaints through legal mechanisms, UNAMI said.