“The members of the Security Council deplored the use of violence to settle election-related grievances and urged all political parties to pursue legal and peaceful means to resolve these grievances. They condemned attempts to discredit the election,” read a Security Council statement.
Iraq’s October 10 election took place under close monitoring by large observations teams from the United Nations and the European Union who said the vote was largely well-managed and competitive, despite concerns about low turnout. The preliminary results produced some surprises with parties affiliated with Iranian-backed militias performing poorly. Their supporters protested and at least one person was killed and 125 people were injured when protesters clashed with security forces earlier this month. Just days later, an explosive-laden drone was used to attack the residence of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in what security forces labeled an attempted assassination.
The Security Council condemned the violence and urged all parties to “exercise patience and address any outstanding concerns through established legal channels, and to create a post-electoral environment that fosters mutual understanding and national unity through peaceful and constructive dialogue.”
The head of the UN mission in Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, met with the leader of a powerful militia group on Monday. She and Qais al-Khazali, secretary general of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement, “discussed the latest political developments in Iraq, stressing the importance of following legal channels in addressing electoral concerns,” her office tweeted.
Khazali said he presented Hennis-Plasschaert with “detailed evidence” of electoral fraud.
The electoral commission reviewed nearly 1,500 complaints and conducted a limited manual recount that it said did not change the results.
