“The people of Anbar and Ninewa overcame threats to cast their vote today, and violence failed to disrupt the democratic process,” said Mr. Kobler.

UNAMI delegations visited a number of polling centres in Ninewa and Anbar. The UN Envoy commended the professionalism and commitment of IHEC in carrying out the elections and welcomed the efforts of Iraqi Security Forces under the command of the High Electoral Security Committee (HESC) in assuring safe conditions for voting.

“Despite the best efforts of the security forces, it is very sad that lives were also lost in this process,” said Mr. Kobler. “Several candidates were targeted in the lead-up to today’s vote, while an IHEC staff member was tragically killed in an attack on a bus today and several IHEC colleagues were wounded.”

The UN Envoy extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.