Jan Kubis: Still there is time, people go and vote
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Following low turnout in the morning, the UN Secretary's-General Special Representative to Iraq implored voters in the Kurdistan Region to participate in the parliamentary election because they are the “utmost demonstration of democracy.”
"Still there is time. People go and vote. The polling stations, polling centers are open 'til 6 o'clock" the UN Secretary's-General Special Representative to Iraq said at a press conference in Erbil.
The election commission released the turnout at noon of eligible voters: 22.67 percent for Duhok, 16.20 for Erbil, 9.44 for Sulaimani, and 23.14 in Halabja. The low morning turnout is not unusual in Kurdistan. In previous elections, voting hours have been extended because of long queues at polling stations.
“There is still time to go and express your political will and to vote in the future parliament and in the future government — your true representatives. This is your chance,” he added.
He visited polling stations in Erbil, while his deputy went to Sulaimani including Halabja. Another team is in Duhok.
"We try to watch as many polling centers, polling stations as possible," he said, acknowledging that is a small sample size. "But it at least gives us a flavor.”
Kubis said there were "5-7” representatives from different political parties at the voting places he visited.
"I was very happy to hear from this small number — let's not over exaggerate," emphasized Kubis. But nevertheless [inaudible] all of them said 'No problems, the process is orderly and well-managed.
He acknowledged "good preparations, although in a short period of time.”
"What I can say from my own experience of three polling centers and six or seven polling stations is that the work, the voting is well-organized. The electoral staff is fully aware of the procedures and they enforce the procedures to be followed by the voters,” said Kubis.
The United Nations has urged more participation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region by women in politics.
"I was very glad to see that many women took part in the elections at least in the first hours and also a number of competent electoral staff," said Kubis, who said they were conducting their work with the "utmost diligence and quality."
The KHIEC announced after the press conference that the polls will close at their scheduled time of 6 p.m. and ballots cast afterwards will not be counted.
On Saturday, the election commission announced a six-point plan that included a ban on military personnel entering polling stations and being required to show identity papers. http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/290920182
Soon after the commission announcement on Saturday, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) rejected the measures, arguing the changes were being made in the 11th hour and were partisan.
"No doubt there will be problems, no doubt there will be complaints and this was also a part of our discussion with His Excellency the Chairman of the Commission..." said Kubis.
Political observers have argued electoral body’s changes will greatly boost Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) support.
"How to adjudicate the complaints in full transparency — that would give confidence to all the people and political parties in the results,” said Kubis.