Kurdistan referendum commission reveals four-language sample ballot
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission (IHERC) released a sample copy of the four-language ballot that will be used by independence referendum voters in the Kurdistan Region.
“Do you want the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdistani areas outside the Region to become an independent state?” reads the ballot as published by the commission on Wednesday.
The question is asked in the Kurdish, Arabic, Turkmen, and Assyrian languages, with instructions on how to check ‘No’ or ‘Yes’ appear above the boxes.
The Kurdistan Region is a diverse place where many languages are spoken by its peoples.
Locally, the referendum will be held in the Kurdistan Region’s four provinces and Kurdistani areas outside of the regional government’s administration where the local authorities request to be included.
Yesterday, the election commission announced it was officially setting up offices in Shingal and Kirkuk to prepare and ensure the referendum can be held there.
The local vote will take place on September 25, while eligible participants abroad can e-vote on September 23.
Amid complaints from voters abroad, the commission announced on Tuesday it was extending the registration period for e-voting until September 22.
The IHERC has estimated that 5.5 million people from the Kurdistan Region, from areas outside of the administration of the KRG claimed by Erbil and Baghdad, and abroad are eligible referendum voters.
Official campaigning regarding the referendum also began on Tuesday.