Iraq welcomes EU praise for voter turnout and political stability

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its appreciation for the European Union’s statement on the Nov. 11 parliamentary elections, welcoming the EU’s recognition of the Iraqi people’s participation and its support for Iraq’s political trajectory.

In a statement released Friday, the ministry said it “expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the European Union […] for the commendation it included of the Iraqi people’s exercise of their democratic right, as well as its clear support for the trajectory of political stability and the strengthening of constitutional institutions in the country.”

The Independent High Electoral Commission said 99.98% of general polling stations have reported results, with nationwide turnout reaching over 56% of registered voters. A total of 12,009,453 Iraqis voted out of 21,404,291 registered voters, including ballots from the general, special, and displaced-persons votes.

The ministry also commended the EU’s participation through its Electoral Expert Mission, which it noted was deployed “upon the invitation of the Independent High Electoral Commission,” and described the mission’s role as key in “assessing the conduct of the electoral process.”

In its statement, the EU commended Iraqi voters turnout, calling it “an important opportunity for Iraq to strengthen its institutions, ensuring inclusiveness and accountability, and consolidate its political future.”

The EU has not publicly disclosed its findings, stating that “the mission’s findings will be shared with Iraqi authorities.”