For Immediate Release
June 8, 2004

Iraqis Take First Step toward Free Elections
Iraq Fact of the Day

Iraq has established a commission to move the country to free elections by the end of 2005. The commission is composed of seven voting members, one non-voting member to serve as the chief electoral officer, and a UN electoral commissioner. UN experts evaluated more than 1,800 applicants and - with the Iraqi Governing Council - made the final selection. The commission will be nonpartisan and independent. Its members have no known political affiliations, and all were chosen for their experience and technical qualifications. With this first step, Iraqis are quickly establishing a credible electoral process.

Source: Coalition Provisional Authority