Over a Million Voters Eligible as Iraqis Cast Ballots in Provincial Elections, While UN Declines Observation

The much-anticipated provincial elections in Iraq kicked off on Saturday, drawing eligible voters to polling stations nationwide, including the Kurdistan Region. The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) estimates a participation of over a million voters during this early voting phase.

Commencing at 7:00 AM (Erbil Time), the voting process is set to conclude at 6:00 PM, with a possible extension if necessary. Notably, more than 48,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Kurdistan Region can cast their votes at nine designated voting centers.

Despite the heightened anticipation surrounding the elections, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has confirmed its non-participation in observing or monitoring the December 18 elections, a decision communicated earlier by the organization. Instead, the IHEC has enlisted the support of 500 local and international organizations to monitor the electoral process.

However, the voting process has not been without its challenges. Some voters have expressed dissatisfaction with perceived slowness and difficulties in fingerprint recognition. The verification of voters' eligibility, utilizing various electronic devices, reportedly takes approximately 2-3 minutes per voter, according to Chato Hassan, the head of a polling station in Erbil.

Members of the Kurdish security forces from disputed territories, including Kirkuk, Diyala, Nineveh, and Salahaddin, are allowed to cast their votes in the Kurdistan Region to elect representatives for the respective provincial councils.

Notably, issues with fingerprint recognition have been reported by voters, including Hama Regir, a Peshmerga commander at Kirkuk Command. "My fingerprint was hardly recognized," he told Kurdistan 24, highlighting technical glitches in the voting process.

In addition to technical challenges, reports have emerged that security forces in Diyala are strictly prohibiting journalists from covering processes in proximity to the polling stations.

As Iraqis exercise their democratic right in the provincial elections, the nation grapples with both technical hitches and the absence of UN observation, adding complexity to an already pivotal electoral process.