UN MISSION PRAISES HIGH VOTER TURNOUT IN KURDISTAN REGION OF NORTHERN IRAQ

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) today congratulated election officials and the people of the northern region of Kurdistan for the large turnout, especially among women voters, in last week's peaceful elections.

Voters exercised their right to elect new regional, parliamentary, and presidential representatives, in an orderly environment, notably free of violence, said UNAMI in a news release following the polls, which were held last Thursday and Saturday.

Preliminary results indicate that voter turnout was around 78.5 per cent across the Kurdistan region, with the areas around Dohuk and Sulaymaniya achieving nearly 86 per cent voter rates.

The mission also praised the efforts of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) for organizing and holding the elections as planned, and for the commitment of the staff involved at each step of the process.

UNAMI expressed confidence that the people and political parties of the Kurdistan region would show patience until the IHEC has completed its review of all complaints filed and the official results are published.

It also encouraged all observers to continue following the voting count, tabulation and complaint process to ensure full transparency and said, for its part, that it would continue to support Iraq's electoral processes by providing technical assistance to the IHEC.
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