BAGHDAD, March 14 (UPI) -- The U.N. mission in Iraq said it completed screening applications for director positions with the provincial electoral offices.
A panel of international experts working with the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq is in the process of interviewing candidates in order to develop a short list to send to the Iraqi government's electoral commission, a UNAMI statement said.
"By ensuring transparency and professionalism in the process of selecting these candidates we hope the Iraqi Parliament and the Independent High Electoral Commission will accomplish one of the number of conditions for holding successful elections," said Staffan de Mistura, the UNAMI chief.
De Mistura said the United Nations and senior Iraqi officials were concerned about how the selection process that seated 11 of Iraq's electoral director posts was carried out in September as it was viewed largely as political favoritism.
In order for the provincial elections scheduled for October to proceed, de Mistura said it was "vital" that the vetting process for the electoral directors was carried out in a professional and transparent manner.
The UNAMI panel examined more than 800 applications for the positions, including 54 women. They are expected to make their decision by March 25.
