Elections in Iraq: What Will January Bring?

Overview

The success and legitimacy of the National Assembly elections scheduled for January hinge on several factors:

• How can security be ensured, not only for the elections but also for electoral preparations?
• Are the preparations far enough along to ensure an orderly election day?
• Will the outcome, given conditions in Sunni areas and the continuing insurgent attacks, accurately represent the will of the people?
• What political parties and coalitions will be on the ballot? How will coalitions affect the outcome?
• How will the success or failure of the elections influence the peacebuilding process in Iraq?

Speakers

New Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi (left) chairs his first meeting with the new interim government in Baghdad on June 2, 2004.

• Jeff Fischer
  Director, Center for Transitional and Post-Conflict Governance, International Foundation for Electoral Systems
• Feisal al-Istrabadi
  Ambassador of Iraq to the United Nations
• Phebe Marr
  Senior Fellow, U.S. Institute of Peace
• Ronald Schlicher
  Coordinator for Iraq, U.S. Department of State
• Daniel Serwer
  Director, Peace and Stability Operations, U.S. Institute of Peace, Moderator