Iraq voting extended for expatriots in US and abroad, Jan. 19, 2005

Opening Hours Extended for Out-of-Country Registration
Press Release – 19 January 2005

Amman, Jordan: Opening hours have been extended for all 74 registration centres in all 14 countries hosting the International Organization for Migration’s Out-of-Country Voting (OCV) Program for Iraq’s Transitional National Assembly Election.

From Thursday, 20 January, and until registration ends on Sunday, 23 January, all registration centres will be open each day from 08:00 to 19:00 local time.

“This will allow the elderly, working people, and those taking care of families more flexibility in when they can register, especially during these Eid holidays,” commented Iraq OCV Director, Peter Erben. “This is an historic election for Iraqis everywhere and we hope that a significant number of expatriate Iraqis will take the opportunity to register and vote.”

On 17 January, Iraq OCV opened 74 registration centres in 36 cities in 14 countries across the Middle East, North America, Europe and Australia. Registration is necessary for any expatriate Iraqi wanting to participate in the Out-of-Country Vote.

“In the past two months, we have expanded on our original plans by opening more registration and polling centres, by extending registration hours and by developing a very comprehensive and adaptable public information campaign,” said Mr. Erben. “We are also working through Eid to allow each and every person who wants to vote the chance to register.”

To be deemed eligible to participate in the Out-of-Country Voting Program, Iraqis have to prove their identity, their Iraqi nationality, and must have been born on, or before, 31 December 1986. They must bring to the registration centres all their documents which could prove their eligibility. This could include their passport or any other relevant document issued by a state, state agency or international institution. Once people have successfully registered to vote, they will be issued with a registration receipt which they must present on polling day, together with a photo ID. Voters must return to the same station where they registered in order to cast their vote. Polling will take place from 28 to 30 January, with the last day coinciding with Election Day in Iraq.

In keeping with international election standards, all personal information gathered during registration and polling is kept strictly confidential, and is not shared with any other agency or host government. Gathered information will be solely used for the purpose of Iraqi elections.
For full information on the latest registration numbers, registration locations, voter eligibility criteria, or procedures for becoming accredited to observe or cover Iraq OCV’s registration, polling and counting processes, please visit www.iraqocv.org.

From: The Iraq Out of Voting Program
wwww.iraqocv.org
Ahsen Khan
Assistant Country Chief of External Relations
IOM Iraq Out-of-Country Voting Program
ahsen.khan@iraqocv.org
Office: 202-625-8568

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