Emtmom
02-07-2005, 02:39 PM
I'm starting a new thread for this since we went off subject in another thread about this election.
Iraq electoral commission admits ballot box irregularities
Mon Feb 7,10:31 AM ET Mideast - AFP
BAGHDAD (AFP) - An inquiry by the Iraqi electoral commission reported that there had been irregularities with some 40 ballot boxes used in the January 30 election in Nineveh province around the main northern city of Mosul.
"A total of 435 ballot boxes used in Nineveh province did not pose any problems, they were opened and their ballots added to the election tally," the commission said Monday.
"Another 40 ballot boxes have led to complaints and appeals, or were not sealed in conformity with the instructions, which obliged us to transfer them to the national office in Baghdad to open a probe."
Dozens of Nineveh residents demonstrated in Baghdad Sunday calling on the commission to organise a new vote in some of the province's towns. Deputy governor Khasro Goran said several areas had not received ballot papers on polling day.
"On election day, the commission received many calls from its representatives in Nineveh and several political parties claiming that some regions had not received electoral equipment on time," the commission said.
Its investigation found that only in Bartalla, a town east of Mosul with 15,188 electors, did the vote not take place.
Equipment was delivered but electoral staff were "not able to reach the polling stations due to security reasons," the commission said.
The inquiry also found that armed groups had attacked electoral workers and stolen equipment. In one incident, gunmen stole ballot papers before handing them back with candidate lists already ticked off.
The commission is still tallying votes from the election. Partial results give the main Shiite alliance a commanding lead over all of its rivals.
Iraq electoral commission admits ballot box irregularities
Mon Feb 7,10:31 AM ET Mideast - AFP
BAGHDAD (AFP) - An inquiry by the Iraqi electoral commission reported that there had been irregularities with some 40 ballot boxes used in the January 30 election in Nineveh province around the main northern city of Mosul.
"A total of 435 ballot boxes used in Nineveh province did not pose any problems, they were opened and their ballots added to the election tally," the commission said Monday.
"Another 40 ballot boxes have led to complaints and appeals, or were not sealed in conformity with the instructions, which obliged us to transfer them to the national office in Baghdad to open a probe."
Dozens of Nineveh residents demonstrated in Baghdad Sunday calling on the commission to organise a new vote in some of the province's towns. Deputy governor Khasro Goran said several areas had not received ballot papers on polling day.
"On election day, the commission received many calls from its representatives in Nineveh and several political parties claiming that some regions had not received electoral equipment on time," the commission said.
Its investigation found that only in Bartalla, a town east of Mosul with 15,188 electors, did the vote not take place.
Equipment was delivered but electoral staff were "not able to reach the polling stations due to security reasons," the commission said.
The inquiry also found that armed groups had attacked electoral workers and stolen equipment. In one incident, gunmen stole ballot papers before handing them back with candidate lists already ticked off.
The commission is still tallying votes from the election. Partial results give the main Shiite alliance a commanding lead over all of its rivals.