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Ayad Jamal Aldin MP calls on the United Nations to replace Iraq’s Electoral Commission

In open letters Head of Ahrar Party in Iraq warns of possible election fraud in January’s Parliamentary elections

03.11.09 Baghdad, Iraq - Ayad Jamal Aldin MP, the leader of the Ahrar Party in Iraq has today warned about the possibility of election fraud at Iraq’s upcoming national election and called on the United Nations to replace Iraq’s Electoral Commission with fresh faces, unaligned and unbeholden to existing factions in Baghdad.

In open letters sent to United States President Barack Obama, Secretary General of the United Nations Ban-Ki Moon, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations and current Chair of the United Nations Security Council, Mr Aldin MP expresses concern over the politicisation of Iraq’s Electoral Commission and questions whether ‘free and fair’ elections will take place in Iraq next January.

In his letter Mr Aldin MP says: “Since our last election in 2005, various political factions have manoeuvred their supporters onto the Iraqi Electoral Commission in order to ensure a favourable result for themselves in January’s election. The pattern is identical to that seen in Afghanistan. I urge you to request that the Security Council instructs the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq to replace Iraq's Electoral Commission with fresh faces unaligned and unbeholden to the factions in Baghdad. This could take place immediately, with no disruption to the political process, and would give the best possible chance of a fair vote in January.”

Letter to President Barack Obama Letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Letter to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Letter to Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting

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Tel: +964 770 444 7037 / +964 790 110 2940

About Ayad Jamal Aldin:

Ayad Jamal Aldin is a young, Shia cleric, best known for his consistent campaigning for a new, secular Iraq. He first rose to prominence at the Nasiriyah conference in March 2003, shortly before the fall of Saddam, where he called for a state free of religion, the turban and other theological symbols. In 2005, he was elected as one of the 25 MPs on the Iraqi National List, but withdrew in 2009 after becoming disenchanted with Iyad Allawi's overtures to Iran. He wants complete independence from Iranian interference in Iraq. He now leads the Ahrar party for the 2010 election to the Council of Representatives, to clean up corruption and create a strong, secure and liberated Iraq for the future.

Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting
Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations,
United Nations
760 United Nations Plaza,
New York, NY 10017,
United States of America

Your Excellency,

I am writing to ask for help that you are uniquely positioned to give, as Chair of the United Nations Security Council and a lifelong supporter of democracy. My country is entering its second parliamentary election cycle since democracy was established in Iraq. Grave concerns have arisen over the possibility of a ‘Free and Fair’ election being conducted. With the recent example of fraudulent elections in Afghanistan, the spectre now looms of exactly the same thing happening in Iraq. The United Nations - under the leadership of the Security Council - must act now.

Since our last election in 2005, various political factions have maneuvered their supporters onto the Iraqi Electoral Commission in order to ensure a favourable result for themselves in January’s election. The pattern is identical to that seen in Afghanistan. I urge you to request that the Security Council instructs the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq to replace Iraq's Electoral Commission with fresh faces unaligned and unbeholden to the factions in Baghdad. This could take place immediately, with no disruption to the political process, and would give the best possible chance of a fair vote in January. As you will of course know, Iraq retains Chapter VII status under the United Nations mandate, which was intended for precisely the purpose of safeguarding people’s rights when their government is no longer able to.

I have also written to the United Nations Secretary General, the European Union, United States and various regional governments to send observers to supervise polling, so that the longing of the Iraqi people for their voice to be heard can be fulfilled. It is only by taking a proactive stand right now that we will we be able to stop blatant rigging of these elections, and start to give Iraq a real future.

Mr Ambassador, you occupy a position of unique power and influence. On behalf of my country, I beseech you to use it today in the Security Council, to give my country the best possible chance of the liberal, democratic future it so richly deserves.

With warmest wishes,

Ayad Jamal Aldin MP
Leader, Ahrar