Deputy Speaker Hemin Hawrami and EU officials discuss observers at next Iraqi election

Kurdistan Parliament Deputy Speaker Dr. Hemin Hawrami on 7 February met with European Union officials and diplomats and discussed the issue of external observers at the next Iraqi general election.

Vincent Guillaume Poupeau, the Head of the EU Liaison Office in Erbil, accompanied his colleagues from the EU External Action Service, Gianfranco Bochiccihio, and from the European Commission.

Deputy Speaker Hawrami said that a free and fair vote, impartial election observers and reporting on problems is very important for the process. 

He also stressed that people from the Kurdistani areas outside the KRG adminstrative area such as Kirkuk, Khanaqin and Nineveh must be allowed to vote, as these areas have not yet been normalised.  

The EU officials and diplomats said that they are continuing to study the possibility of EU observers for the election.