Voter turnout to determine success of Iraq's democratic process - election monitors
Record ID:
1640896
Voter turnout to determine success of Iraq's democratic process - election monitors
- Title: Voter turnout to determine success of Iraq's democratic process - election monitors
- Date: 10th October 2021
- Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (OCTOBER 10, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SECURITY FORCES AND CITIZENS GATHERED NEAR POLLING STATION MEMBER OF ELECTORAL COMMISSION CHECKING VOTER ID VARIOUS OF WOMAN DIGITALLY REGISTERING HER FINGERPRINT ON VOTING DEVICE HEAD OF IRAQ'S HIGH INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION, JALIL KHALAF, ENTERING POLLING STATION KHALAF LOOKING ON (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF IRAQ'S INDEPENDENT HIGH ELECTORAL COMMISSION, JALIL KHALAF, SAYING: "The movement of the process, its organization into several stages, the fact that there are numbers, and that people are moving smoothly, with full freedom in front of the press, the international community and the observers (makes us happy). All of this makes us happy, to be honest, because we are holding these elections in front of United Nations observation and international monitoring, which shows the world that we abide by international standards." KHALAF SPEAKING TO STAFF IN POLLING STATION CHIEF OBSERVER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OBSERVATION MISSION TO IRAQ, VIOLA VON CRAMON , ENTERING POLLING STATION AND SAYING (English): "Morning" POLLING STATION (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF OBSERVER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OBSERVATION MISSION TO IRAQ, VIOLA VON CRAMON , SAYING: "The preliminary statement which we will provide from the European Union Election Observation Mission will be published and presented on Tuesday at 11 o'clock, so 48 hours after the election day." VARIOUS OF IRAQIS CASTING THEIR VOTES (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRINCIPAL ELECTORAL ADVISOR FOR THE UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION FOR IRAQ, AAMIR ARAIN, SAYING: "This process is very different from the past, there was a big audit that was done for the result management system. And this election has the potential to be the best election. Now, I hope that Iraqis come out and vote. I think that is very important, that the turnout will decide. And many people will think that a higher turnout (is better). And I think that a higher turnout means Iraqis are going out and exercising their rights." VARIOUS OF VOTERS CASTING BALLOTS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SPOKESMAN FOR THE JOINT OPERATIONS COMMAND IN IRAQ, TAHSIN AL-KHAFAJI, SAYING: "The Joint Operations Command, by preparing security plans, has greatly contributed to the success of special voting (two days ago) and general voting. We believe that our work and abilities are, until this moment, successful. Security measures and the great efforts that our security forces are doing, as well as the great cooperation by citizens and their willingness to come to polling stations, are proof of the plan's success." SECURITY FORCES STANDING SECURITY FORCES PUSHING ELDERLY VOTER IN WHEELCHAIR PEOPLE IN STREET
- Embargoed: 24th October 2021 12:16
- Keywords: Elections Electoral commission European Union Iraq Observers Security United Nations
- Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- City: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Middle East,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA001EYKSPJB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Iraqi officials and international observers said on Sunday (October 10) the electoral process was moving smoothly and that an EU observation mission preliminary report is expected two days after the vote.
"The preliminary statement which we will provide from the European Union Election Observation Mission will be published and presented on Tuesday at 11 o'clock," said Viola Von Cramon, Chief Observer of the EU's election observation mission.
Standing inside a polling station in the capital Baghdad, the head of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission, Jalil Khalaf, said that successful organization and the absence of a curfew is proof to global observers that Iraq is capable of holding elections to international standards.
"We are holding this election in front of United Nations observation and international monitoring," said Khalaf, "Which shows the world that we abide by international standards."
The election is being held several months early under a new law designed to help independent candidates - a response to mass anti-government protests two years ago.
A United Nations observer said that Sunday's (October 10) election has the potential to be Iraq's most successful yet, mainly due to the large audit done for the result management system. He also hoped Iraqis would go out and vote to increase turnout.
"The turnout will decide," Aamir Arain, Principal Electoral Advisor for the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq.
But many Iraqis had said they would boycott the election, having lost faith in the democratic system brought in by the U.S.-led invasion of 2003.
At least 167 parties and more than 3,200 candidates are competing for 329 seats in parliament, according to the election commission. Iraqi elections are often followed by months of protracted negotiations over a president, a prime minister and a cabinet.
(Production: Haider Kadhim, Maher Nazeh, Charlotte Bruneau, Nadeen Ebrahim) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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