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Restrictions on Iraqi voters in Iran criticized

By: Nabil Raza

BIRMINGHAM, Britain: The main Iraqi political party, Supreme Council for Islam Revolution in Iraq, headed by the son of Grand Marjay (top religious authority) of Shiia World Grand Ayatullah Sayyed Mohsen Al-Hakim (late), Sayyed Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, criticized restrictions imposed on Iraqi voters in Iran.

About 120,000 Iraqis living in Iran are eligible to vote due this month.

According to Agence France Press (AFP), about 70 voting stations will be set up in six large cities including Tehran, poll organizer Kate Pryce told a press conference, with registration scheduled for January 17 to 23 and voting from January 28 to 30.

“Each voter must present two identifications, one of which must carry a photo,” Pryce said.

The UN's International Organization for Migration is in charge of the polls for Iraqis living in 13 foreign countries, most of them in Iran.

However, Mohsen Al-Hakim, a top member of the SCIRI criticized the restrictions on the Iraqi voters in Iran.

Talking to Iran's State News Agency IRNA, he said: “Contrary to the other 12 countries, Iraqis in Iran have to present an Iraqi ID card while in other countries it is enough to show an ID that simply indicates the person was born in Iraq.”

Al-Hakim also criticized the lack of polling stations in the cities of Isphahan, Shiraz, Yazd and the western province of Ilam “where many Iraqis live”. “About 40,000 Iraqis live in Isphahan while no polls have been considered there.” he added.

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