ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan on Tuesday lauded the level of organization in Iraq’s ongoing parliamentary elections, saying that he is “happy” to see the level of public engagement in the voting process.

“The United Nations mission is satisfied with the Iraqi elections, which are being conducted by Iraqi hands,” Hassan told reporters. “UNAMI has contributed over the course of two decades to the successful organization of 13 electoral processes, and what we are witnessing today is the fruit of this cooperation,”

“Today, in my view, is a democratic celebration for all Iraqi peoples to practice their constitutional right of choosing their representatives freely, responsibly, and securely,” he added.

The UN official on Wednesday had called on Iraqi political parties to “show a spirit of national responsibility and respect for the law, and to avoid inflammatory speeches or practices that may affect the conduct of the elections or the security of voters."

On the same day, Hassan met with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, with the pair agreeing on “the necessity of conducting the election process in a calm and democratic atmosphere away from interference,” according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Over 7,000 polling stations opened across Iraq for more than 20 million eligible voters early Tuesday morning. A total of 7,743 candidates, comprised of 5,496 males and 2,247 females, are running for the legislature’s 329 seats.

More than 20 million people are eligible to cast a ballot in the vote. Several leaders across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region showed up to the polling stations, where they delivered remarks after voting in the process.

The UNAMI chief further stressed the importance of participation in the elections, saying that it is “the foundation for consolidating democracy.”

Iraq’s last parliamentary elections in 2021 had a record low turnout of around 43 percent.