US calls on Kurdish political parties to refrain from intimidating voters
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The US ambassador to Iraq on Saturday called on Kurdistan Region’s political parties not to seek intimidation of voters during Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
“We support all efforts to ensure tomorrow’s IKR [Iraqi Kurdistan Region] elections are free and fair. We call on all political parties and security forces to respect the media and civil society's vital role in the democratic process and refrain from violence or intimidation,” Alina L. Romanoswski said in a post on X.
Early voting for Kurdistan Region’s long-overdue legislative polls took place on Friday, two days before the general vote.
Dozens of violations were recorded, according to Hogr Chato, head of the Shams network for monitoring elections.
Violations such as the disclosure of voter choices, coercion, vote forging, and attempts by polling center employees to influence votes could incur punishment, including imprisonment.
Taking phones into the voting booths is a violation of the electoral commission’s regulations but several monitors said in some election centers voters were permitted to take their phones in.
“If, today, during the special vote you do not stop some types of violations, in the general vote, it will get out of hand,” Chato explained.
The election is being observed by nearly 2,000 members of international missions and civil organizations.
“We support all efforts to ensure tomorrow’s IKR [Iraqi Kurdistan Region] elections are free and fair. We call on all political parties and security forces to respect the media and civil society's vital role in the democratic process and refrain from violence or intimidation,” Alina L. Romanoswski said in a post on X.
Early voting for Kurdistan Region’s long-overdue legislative polls took place on Friday, two days before the general vote.
Dozens of violations were recorded, according to Hogr Chato, head of the Shams network for monitoring elections.
Violations such as the disclosure of voter choices, coercion, vote forging, and attempts by polling center employees to influence votes could incur punishment, including imprisonment.
Taking phones into the voting booths is a violation of the electoral commission’s regulations but several monitors said in some election centers voters were permitted to take their phones in.
“If, today, during the special vote you do not stop some types of violations, in the general vote, it will get out of hand,” Chato explained.
The election is being observed by nearly 2,000 members of international missions and civil organizations.