Baghdad: Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has directed the adoption of the unified national identity card for the upcoming elections, emphasizing the importance of providing all necessary resources to ensure citizens can exercise their right to vote easily and transparently.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister’s Media Office released a statement following a joint meeting chaired by Al-Zaidi. The meeting involved the Ministry of Interior and the Independent High Electoral Commission, attended by the Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Director General of Civil Status, Passports and Residency, several officers from the directorate, and members of the Electoral Commission’s board.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister praised the Commission’s performance in the previous parliamentary elections, noting the high level of transparency and professionalism demonstrated. He urged for continued dedication and early preparation for the upcoming elections. Al-Zaidi highlighted that safeguarding the citizen’s vote is tantamount to protecting their future, reiterating that having control over one’s vote equates to owning one’s future.

Al-Zaidi instructed the adoption of the unified national identity card for the forthcoming elections and tasked the Ministry of Interior with providing all necessary data and information to aid the Commission’s work and complete the required procedures. The meeting discussed the requirements for this accreditation, emphasizing that using the unified national ID card would simplify voting procedures for citizens and improve the accuracy of electoral data.

The meeting also covered the mechanisms and steps required to fulfill all technical and administrative requirements for adopting the unified national ID card in the upcoming elections. Coordination between the Ministry of Interior and the Electoral Commission was highlighted as essential to ensure that the necessary preparations are completed within the specified timeframes.