For upcoming parliamentary elections

Erbil environmental board urges political parties to adopt eco-friendly campaign practices

2024-09-13 | 16:00

ERBIL — The Environmental Protection and Improvement Board of the Kurdistan Regional Government has called on Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission to enforce environmental protection measures during the upcoming parliamentary election campaigns.

The elections, scheduled for October 20, will determine the composition of the Kurdistan Regional Parliament for its sixth term. Originally planned for 2022, they were repeatedly delayed due to political disagreements over electoral reforms, seat distribution, and other logistical issues.

In a letter issued Wednesday, the board laid out 13 recommendations for political parties and candidates to minimize their environmental impact during campaigning. “Everyone has the right to live in a healthy environment,” the board stressed.

Key proposals include using biodegradable materials such as cloth or paper for campaign posters, instead of harmful materials like nylon or flex, which can damage the environment. The board also recommended securing posters with tape instead of adhesives that harm surfaces, and avoiding the use of strings that can damage trees or block visibility.

Additionally, the board urged parties to consider the placement of banners carefully to avoid visual pollution and to limit the use of paper and cardboard, which contribute to deforestation. They discouraged the use of plastic and nylon banners, and emphasized the importance of immediately cleaning up waste after public gatherings to protect both the environment and public health.

“Do not use public parks and gardens in neighborhoods for campaigning,” the board advised, encouraging parties to instead utilize large digital screens and television for outreach. The letter also urged IHEC to enforce penalties for parties that violate environmental or municipal regulations.

The board suggested greater reliance on electronic platforms and social media for campaigning, which would reduce waste generated by traditional methods. They also recommended publicly naming political entities that fail to follow the environmental guidelines.

Another point of concern was noise pollution. The board discouraged the use of loudspeakers during public events, citing the harmful effects of excessive noise on both people and the environment. They called on IHEC to collaborate with environmental organizations to monitor violations and work with the media to raise public awareness about the importance of eco-friendly campaigning.

Election campaigns are set to officially begin on September 16, 2024.