For Immediate Release
January 25, 2005

More Than 24,000 to Observe the Iraq Elections
Fact of the Day

Election observers will play an important role in Iraq's Jan. 30 elections. The observers will monitor voting, check the implementation of election rules and regulations, and assess the integrity of the process. Observers will watch all steps of the electoral process, from preparation, to voting, to vote counting. Their reports will then be made public. In addition to the 12,000 observers, candidates and political entities will have more than 12,500 registered observers. The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq's chief election administration, Mr. Adel Al-Alami says: "We must ensure that Iraqi's first free elections for more than 50 years are free and fair. The mission of observers and political entity agents who will monitor the electoral process...is vital."

Source: Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (www.ieciraq.org)