Al-Nasr Coalition head Al-Abadi warns against election ‘manipulation’

BAGHDAD — Former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi urged protection of Iraq’s democratic process and reform of past electoral shortcomings during a meeting Wednesday with academics, journalists, and analysts.

“The electoral process is the face of the democratic system, and maintaining it is a national responsibility,” al-Abadi said, stressing the need to prevent vote manipulation and address previous errors.

Al-Abadi’s Al-Nasr Coalition has already announced it will not participate in Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections, set for Nov. 11.

In a separate statement, the coalition cautioned that widespread withdrawals could threaten the system itself. “Any political system experiencing a boycott will be threatened in its existence and functions,” it said.

Statement from Al-Abadi’s media office:

Head of the Al-Nasr Coalition, Dr. Haider Al-Abadi, met on Wednesday with a group of academics, journalists, and analysts, as part of his weekly meetings with segments of society.

Dr. Haider Al-Abadi stressed the need to prevent manipulation of electoral votes and to address previous errors, considering the electoral process the face of the democratic system and maintaining it a national responsibility.

On the economic front, Dr. Haider Al-Abadi pointed to the importance of balancing expenditure and revenue, distributing opportunities based on competence, opening space for the private sector, and moving toward investment.

For their part, attendees discussed a set of political and economic issues, calling for the provision of public services that safeguard citizens’ rights regardless of affiliations.