Al-Hakim and Salih: November vote needs ‘broad, active, and conscious participation’

BAGHDAD — Al-Hikma Movement chief Ammar Al-Hakim met with former President Barham Salih to discuss political developments in Iraq and the wider region, with emphasis on Baghdad-Erbil relations and upcoming parliamentary elections, according to a statement released Saturday by Al-Hakim’s media office.

The statement said Iraq “is enjoying an unprecedented state of stability at the political, social, security, and economic levels.” It described the preservation of this stability as “a collective responsibility.”

The statement urged “broad, active, and conscious participation in the upcoming elections”, scheduled to take place on November 11, and called for political competition based on programs and services, rather than “defamation and the use of political money to undermine competitors.”

Statement from Ammar Al-Hakim’s media office:

We met with former President Dr. Barham Salih and discussed the political developments in Iraq and the region, as well as the relationship between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region and upcoming entitlements.

We affirmed that Iraq is enjoying an unprecedented state of stability at the political, social, security, and economic levels. This is the result of the pure blood spilled and the relentless efforts of political and social leaders across the country and from all components. We emphasized that maintaining this stability and transitioning it into sustainability is a collective responsibility.

We highlighted the importance of moderation approach, noting that experience has proven this approach to be the best in safeguarding the country’s interests. We also referred to recent regional events and how Iraq has responded as an influencer rather than being influenced, playing a political, media, and humanitarian role in various arenas.

We stressed the need for broad, active, and conscious participation in the upcoming elections and called for seizing this opportunity to strengthen stability. We also underscored the importance of competition based on programs and services, avoiding defamation and the use of political money to undermine competitors.

We further called for adopting dialogue to resolve outstanding issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, emphasizing the importance of adhering to a balance of rights and duties and making concessions for the public interest that benefits all.