President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid affirmed that Iraq enjoys security and stability and is preparing for the upcoming elections. This came during his meeting with NATO mission commander General Christophe Hentz, where Iraq renewed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with NATO in training, advisory support, and military capacity development.

Rashid emphasized that Iraq is heading towards a democratic milestone by holding the upcoming parliamentary elections, with the state’s commitment to conducting free and fair elections representing all segments of the population. He also discussed his participation in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, praising Iraq’s stance on local and international issues, and mentioned the international conference on repatriating individuals from Al-Hol camp and surrounding camps and detention centers, alongside international support for Iraq in closing this file.

Meanwhile, the NATO mission commander expressed gratitude for the warm reception and confirmed the alliance’s readiness to continue supporting Iraq through its training and advisory programs, enhancing partnership frameworks to serve mutual interests.

Separately, former MP Mishan Al-Jubouri expressed his dissatisfaction with the Independent High Electoral Commission’s decision to block the replacement of excluded candidates after he submitted his papers as a substitute for his son Yazan and his daughter Hawazen as a substitute for the excluded candidate Anida Salem. Al-Jubouri accused those in power of sidelining his family from participating in the elections.

The commission reported 292 violations of election campaign regulations, including 194 by men, 42 by women, and 56 related to slogans. It also reinstated three candidates in the electoral race in Baghdad province.

The commission denied imposing a curfew during the election days, stating that the security plan is limited to tightly securing polling centers to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process and voter safety.

Shiite National Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr commented on the participation of 78 of his supporters in the legislative elections, describing them as seeking to weaken the nation and opposing reform projects, accusing them of allying with corrupt blocs interested only in money and power at the expense of the people and the country.