In advance of Jan. 31 provincial elections in Iraq, nearly 1,000 candidates took part in NDI training programs on campaign skills such as messaging and get-out-the-vote strategies.

Speaking at briefings on Capitol Hill, Erin Mathews, NDI director for Iraq programs, described how the elections provided insight into the dynamics at work as Iraq continues its democratic transition.  She noted, for example, a major shift among voters away from extremist and religious parties.

Prior to the election, the Institute also trained domestic election monitors from civil society organizations throughout Iraq.  NDI partners fielded more than 20,000 domestic observers in all of the country’s 18 provinces.

Pictured above: Participants in a Feb. 4 panel discussion on the Iraqi elections; from left to right, Robert Varsalone (on screen), Thomas Garrett, Erin Mathews of NDI, Julija Belej Bakovic, and Nickolay Mladenov.

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Published on March 6, 2009