Al-Nabaa Forum for Dialogue held its monthly panel discussion titled "Political Alliances and Their Role in Shaping the Electoral Map." Chaired by Wathiq Al-Hashimi, President of the Iraqi Association for Strategic Studies, the session hosted Presidential Advisor Shirwan Al-Waili and Kareem Al-Tamimi, a member of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC). The event was attended by several MPs, academics, legal experts, activists, observers of Iraqi affairs, media professionals, and journalists.
The Forum’s Head, journalist and writer Ali Al-Talqani, told the correspondent of Al-Nabaa News Agency: "Stemming from our belief in Iraq's democratic trajectory, this program serves to support the consolidation of the principles of freedoms and elections. Therefore, as an educated class, civil society organizations, and research centers, we consider it our obligation to fulfill our duty toward the homeland."
He added, "This program is designed to support the impending electoral process. Hence, we needed to forecast the future and assess the challenges amid the current circumstances, particularly following the elimination of terrorist organizations."
He pointed out that "the significance of the elections stems from the importance of the democratic process that the forces of darkness sought to undermine. This, however, was made possible thanks to the efforts of intellectuals, organizations, and honorable politicians working together to ensure free and fair elections." He explained that "anticipating the future is among our top priorities, aimed at clarifying the picture for voters early on so they can deliberate properly and identify competent candidates."
For her part, Member of Parliament Shurooq Al-Abayachi stated, "The term 'electoral campaigning' is currently being circulated broadly as an accusation leveled against any politician, official, or MP who acts or speaks in the public interest. The fundamental goal of elections worldwide is to drive officials to compete in satisfying citizens through genuine work and proper community service, or at the very least, by conveying the citizen's voice to the relevant authorities; this is the case in all democratic nations."
She questioned, "Why have elections turned into an accusation, as though they were a crime committed by the politician? Does this serve democracy, or does it merely breed further misinformation and sow confusion to the benefit of the corrupt, the incompetent, and their ilk?"
On the sidelines of the forum, the fifth national caricature exhibition of the institution's arts department was inaugurated under the title "Iraq of Victories." The exhibition featured 25 artworks by five artists from the provinces of Baghdad, Basra, and Holy Karbala, in tribute to the victories achieved by the security forces, including the army, police, and Popular Mobilization Forces, over the terrorist ISIS organization, culminating in the liberation of every last inch of Iraq.