The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) is
responsible for implementing elections in Iraq.
While 2008 and early 2009 saw a number of electoral
activities, the IHEC will be now be focusing its
efforts on the Kurdistan parliamentary and
presidential elections and a nationwide summer voter
registration update exercise. The IHEC will also
need to begin preparations for a nationwide Council
of Representatives election in later 2009, early
2010.
On 25 July both the Kurdistan parliamentary and
presidential elections will occur. These will be the
first elections in the KRG since 2005. The IHEC is
implementing the elections through its regional
office in Erbil supported by the three governorate
offices in Sulimanya, Dohuk and Erbil. In
preparation for these elections the current Kurdish
Assembly passed five amendments to the 1992 Election
Law (these can be found elsewhere on this site). Of
note the IHEC will be implementing a closed list
election system, with a quota of 30% for women and
special measure for minority groups. There will be
no out-of-country voting, however, eligible Kurds in
Baghdad will be accommodated though special voting
centres. As in the January 2009 governorate council
elections the counting of ballots will occur at the
polling station, under full observation of party
agents and registered observer organisations.
Tabulation and final certification of results will
occur at IHEC headquarters in Baghdad. A Kurdistan
Judicial Appeals Panel has been constituted to hear
electoral appeals during the process.
For 2009 there are a number of measures implemented
by the IHEC to mitigate fraud. One significant
anti-fraud measure will be the printing of the final
voter lists down to the polling station level. The
IHEC will be implementing an extensive public
outreach programme to ensure that all voters know
which polling centres they must attend. Voters can
also call the IHEC call centre (for further details
visit the IHEC website at
www.ihec.iq).
Observer groups and political entities can apply to
the IHEC to have their members and agents accredited
(see the IHEC website
www.ihec.iq). |
Key documents
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