Baghdad: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani emphasized the critical role of the upcoming legislative elections in shaping Iraq’s present and future. In a speech at the launch ceremony of the Sharek ‘participate’ program, organized by the Supreme Council for Youth, Al-Sudani stated, “The upcoming legislative elections will determine the present and future of Iraq.”
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sudani declared that elections are the lifeblood of a just system founded on equality and the rule of law. He emphasized that elections are essential for maintaining legitimacy and expressed a firm stance against any attempts to undermine Iraq’s democratic experience or return to past political instability. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of focusing on programs and goals rather than slogans and disputes during the election period.
Al-Sudani pointed out the significant role youth will play in the upcoming elections, noting that the government is prioritizing dialogue with young people. He stated, “No one will outbid us on our principled positions, and our foundation is the preservation of our country and our youth.” He dismissed any attempts to undermine the elections as efforts to thwart state-building initiatives and warned against neglecting the importance of the electoral process.
Following the launch of the initiative, Al-Sudani reiterated his call for extensive youth participation in the elections, highlighting that approximately 29 million Iraqis are eligible to vote, including 19 million young people. He urged them to lead the electoral process, drawing parallels to their role in combating ISIS. “Updating data is a greater responsibility for young people than others, because they are the leaders of change,” he stated, emphasizing that their involvement is crucial for maintaining progress and development.
The Prime Minister commended the Electoral Commission’s efforts and the Supreme Council for Youth’s executive management, as well as the mobile youth teams collaborating with the Commission to promote electoral participation. He noted the government’s support for provincial council elections, the Kurdistan Regional Parliament elections, and the upcoming parliamentary elections.
More than 10,000 young men and women are actively participating in the Sharek “Participate” initiative, which will continue until the elections. These teams are dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of the elections and encouraging youth involvement through the distribution of publications and the organization of educational seminars and festivals. Additionally, 1,000 young individuals are serving as awareness guides, with contributions from several national teams and civil society organizations.