Elections as a tool for political participation in Iraq

Elections are considered the main tool for political participation, because they lead to the peaceful transfer of power and establish the pillars of a stable society – justice, equality and respect for human rights. Free and fair elections in Iraq represent a massive step towards building a state and institutions based on human rights and good citizenship. Further, free and fair elections in Iraq are an effort towards upholding the concepts of freedom, equality and fairness. This article examines whether or not elections are the principal tool for ensuring political participation in Iraq. It will analyse the country’s experience of elections and its impact on political participation. Among the questions this article will address are the following: What are elections? Why are they important? What is political participation? What is its importance? How is it achieved? What is the relation between elections and political participation in Iraq?