Enhancing Public Participation in Elections in Nineveh Governorate

Donar: IRI

Following the large-scale displacement that affected Nineveh Governorate in 2014 and the occupation of Mosul and large parts of the province by ISIS, citizens faced significant challenges that directly impacted their ability to update their electoral information. Nearly 80% of displaced persons were unable to access biometric registration update centers due to the struggle for survival and the instability caused by conflict.

With the substantial amendments introduced to the electoral law in response to widespread public demands across the country, the new multi-constituency system provided communities with a more transparent and democratic opportunity to elect their representatives based on geographic districts. However, a large segment of Nineveh’s population remained unaware of these changes and continued to believe that the previous electoral laws were still in effect, largely due to disrupted communication channels and limited engagement between the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and the local community.

In response, the Iraqi Institution for Development (IID) adopted a theory of change centered on constructive advocacy and civic engagement, launching a series of awareness programs to promote electoral participation in Mosul District during 2020 and 2021.

In 2020, the project “We Participate in Elections 1” focused on encouraging civic engagement by mobilizing youth, intellectuals, community influencers, mukhtars, tribal leaders, civil society organizations, and media representatives. A total of 100 direct civic awareness lectures were conducted, reaching 2,000 beneficiaries (692 women and 1,308 men), including 1,152 youth under the age of 35. A digital platform titled “Your Voice is a Nation” was launched on Facebook, disseminating awareness content and short informational videos that reached more than 150,000 individuals. Additionally, two large public forums were organized with the participation of 200 influential community figures.

In 2021, the project “Public Participation in the 2021 Parliamentary Elections” was implemented in Mosul District, directly benefiting 860 participants (401 women and 459 men). Direct engagement activities included 30 awareness lectures targeting educated groups and university faculty members, as well as two forums attended by 60 key stakeholders, including representatives of IHEC, religious leaders, tribal sheikhs, media professionals, and political activists.

Through media outreach, two three-minute awareness films were produced and disseminated on social media platforms to encourage peaceful youth participation in elections, reaching approximately 150,000 young people aged 18 to 35. Furthermore, a public mural campaign was conducted in five major streets across Mosul, involving ten local youth artists who created election-awareness artwork. Monitoring and evaluation data estimated daily exposure to these murals at approximately 500,000 citizens over a five-month period prior to the parliamentary elections.

These initiatives significantly enhanced public awareness of the new electoral law, encouraged civic participation, and strengthened communication between communities and electoral institutions, contributing to the consolidation of democratic practices and the promotion of peaceful civic engagement in Nineveh Governorate.