Election monitoring alliance: turnout 26.7%

The Alliance of Networks and National Organizations for Election Monitoring issued its report on the provincial council elections. The following are the highlights:

1. Participation Rate: The voter turnout was 26.7% excluding the Kurdistan region, with a high abstention rate of 73.3% attributed to non-biometric registration and other factors.

2. Violations: the alliance reported 929 incidents and said that they will submit them to IHEC.  Notable violations included biased polling staff, ongoing electoral campaigns near and inside polling stations, and the exclusion of monitors.

3. The alliance recommendations for enhancing the Iraqi electoral process include:

1. Investigating non-neutrality of certain polling staff promoting candidates or alliances, or not adhering to Commission procedures. Reviewing surveillance footage is suggested for verification.
2. Implementing strict measures against individuals, including security personnel, continuing electoral campaigns and engaging in vote-buying or withholding voter cards.
3. Considering detailed reports from monitoring coalitions and organizations to address negative aspects noted in these elections.
4. Ensuring that organizations monitoring elections specialize in this area to prevent exploitation and vote-buying by enlisting monitors for political parties in violation of the law.
5. Announcing all election results on the day of the general vote for accurate and documented information access, respecting principles of transparency and integrity.
6. Verifying instances of biometric failures, such as fingerprint bypasses and non-reading of biometric voter cards, which prevented some from voting.