11 May 2004 – Future elections in Iraq may be guided by the Philippine experience, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert.  The Secretary made this statement after the call of Mr. Peter Erben, Senior Election Adviser of the International Foundation for Election Systems.  Mr. Erben is also the Chief Election Adviser of the Coalition in Iraq and is deeply involved in preparations for the future elections in that country.  Mr. Erben is currently in the Philippines to monitor elections.

“Mr. Erben told me that he has witnessed many electoral exercises in the world and that the Philippines provides a very unique experience.  He acknowledged the great challenges that we face and the problems that need to be solved,” the Secretary said.  The Secretary added that Mr. Erben, who has been following  past Philippine elections, believed that the 10 May elections were generally peaceful.

“I asked him what lessons he can bring to Iraq, and he told me that there are many valuable lessons that he can bring to Iraq after monitoring how elections were conducted in the Philippines,” Secretary Albert added.

“I told him that we would be willing to share our electoral knowledge and experience with Iraq,” Secretary Albert said.

Mr. Erben, who was instrumental in organizing elections in Afghanistan, also congratulated the Secretary for the successful holding of the overseas absentee voting.  “Mr. Erben said that the Philippines has had one of the most successful overseas absentee programs and that many countries can learn from our experience,” Secretary Albert said.

Mr. Erben told the Secretary that his group of international election monitors is preparing a report on the 10 May elections and that he will present this report to all stakeholders in a workshop. “I look forward to this report and the suggestions that will be made.  We certainly acknowledge that there is a lot of room for improvement and we will listen to all fair and objective views on the conduct of our elections,” the Secretary said. END.