ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan’s electoral body will begin preparations for KRG parliamentary elections on September 30, with whether or not to use electronic voting topping their agenda.
"Starting from today, the council of the commissars and the High Electoral and Referendum Commission will undertake practical preparations for holding the elections,” commission spokesperson Sherwan Zrar told reporters in a press conference on Tuesday.
Part of the preparation includes cleaning the voter record of the KRG of duplicate names and other issues. Zrar promised they will give full, detailed disclosure of what issues come up in that process.
The commission will also study what mechanism will be best for the election – go electronic like Iraq did this month or stick with what they know. Zrar said the review is necessary after widespread allegations of fraud in the Iraqi vote.
He revealed that the Kurdish commission had looked into the electronic system and were interested in it, but wanted to see how the devices performed in the Iraqi election before making a decision.
They have given the executive head of elections until Thursday to determine whether the time they have is enough to buy the devices and train the staff.
"The commissars council is doing studies and is in consultation with political parties so that we reach an agreement agreed upon by most political entities so that we give trust back to the people of Kurdistan,” Zrar said.
He said they are ready to listen to the opinions of political parties as partners, but that ultimately the decision rests with the commission.
"We won't fall under the influence of any side, person, or party. We are the High Independent Electoral and Referendum Commission of the Kurdistan Region. Based on laws, we have total authority to determine measures,” he declared.
The commission has received an appeal from five political parties to not use the electronic voting system.
The upcoming September 30 elections of KRG are long awaited. They have been postponed because of the events of October 16 following Baghdad’s rejection of the independence vote and deep disagreements among Kurds after historic losses of territory and political power in Iraq.
Registration for political parties who want to participate in the election will be open next week.
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