Iraqi working group adopts 2026–2027 roadmap for protecting elections in the information environment

This workshop represents an important stage in the continued implementation of the “Protecting Electoral Processes in the Information Environment” project in Iraq. It aims to build on the work carried out in 2025, ensure the continuity of key initiatives - especially “Iraq Filter,” a fact-checking platform focused on misleading election-related information, and the Election Hate Speech Monitoring Observatory - and support the completion of a new roadmap for the period 2026–2027. This includes reviewing the objectives, priorities, and proposed activities within the working group, allocating the necessary resources, and setting an appropriate timeline for implementation.

The workshop brought together members of the electoral working group established during 2025, which was strengthened with new members from Iraqi civil society organizations, alongside representatives from several specialized departments and sections of the Independent High Electoral Commission.

During the workshop, participants sought to build on the outcomes of the virtual sessions held at the beginning of 2026 to assess the 2025 Roadmap for addressing risks that may arise from narratives and behaviors, particularly through social media platforms. Such risks may undermine confidence in electoral processes and in Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission and may also discourage the participation of voters and all relevant stakeholders.

To provide context for new members and Commission participants on the work already accomplished, presentations delivered by partner organizations offered an overview of the initiatives implemented in 2025 and the objectives achieved. Three major initiatives were put in place that year: the first aimed at combating hate speech, the second at monitoring misleading information, and the last at encouraging massive participation in the parliamentary elections of November 2025.

The three groups of associations employed multiple tools to achieve the set objectives, namely: 

1. Combating Hate Speech: Production of videos and posters calling for an end to divisive rhetoric, complemented by 5 dialogue sessions with politicians and community leaders across several districts.
2. Promoting Inclusive and Massive Participation: Creation of videos and accompanying posters to encourage electoral participation among women, youth, minorities, and persons with disabilities, alongside the organization of 8 public awareness conferences.
3. Countering Misinformation: Establishment of a dedicated platform for monitoring and identifying electoral dis/misinformation. 

In addition to these products, which were widely disseminated online, seminars and dialogue sessions were also organized in several governorates of Iraq in order to reach more Iraqis. These events engaged voters, social and political leaders, and candidates in 8 of Iraq's electoral districts.  

In order to give greater impact to these awareness activities and products and to ensure the involvement of all components of Iraqi society in these elections, the member associations of the Working Group also made use of: 

1. Sign language and subtitles in the videos produced to take into account the specific needs of Iraqi voters with disabilities,
2. The translation of messages disseminated in more than nine languages spoken in Iraq,
3. The organization of events targeting specific components of Iraqi society, such as women, youth, and minorities,
4. The live streaming of dialogue sessions and seminars to reach an even wider audience of Iraqi voters across the country. 

The participation of representatives of the Independent High Electoral Commission, alongside representatives of partner civil society organizations, in the subgroup working sessions provided an opportunity to build a shared understanding between the two sides of the 2026–2027 Roadmap, ensure complementarity between the Commission’s efforts and the initiatives of the working group, exchange ideas and perspectives to further develop its various pillars and activities, and establish effective coordination mechanisms between the two parties during the implementation phase in a way that serves electoral processes in Iraq and supports their protection and integrity. 

For more infromation visist the project website.