(January 31)–The following report was compiled in the early hours of voting in Iraq's election by Tammuz Network for Election Monitoring – Iraq. It is an NGO election monitoring organization and has monitors all over Iraq.

Tammuz Network for Election Monitoring - Iraq Baghdad - Iraq

30 Januray 2005 Report  No.5

Baqouba At the election centre in Al-Hassan bin Ali School, the director's attitude was arrogant and did not show respect for representatives of political entities and monitors. Election centres in the following areas in Baqouba did not open until 10.00 am: Mafreq, Gatoun, Buhriz, Shefta, Tahrir. in Suwaira and Baladrouz areas, the group affiliated to List 169 was providing their people with 4 election cards instead of one. Baghdad in Al-Amin district, violations were committed by List 169 in the following election centres: No. 113001, 113002, 113007, 113008. Directors of these centres were contacted and the violations were dealt with. in Ta'mim - Salman Pak area, voting was conducted by heads of households on behalf of their families. People controlling this election centre are affilated to List 169, and they were ticking the name of their List on ballot papers and place them in the boxes. Violations took place in the election centre in Sheikh Omar area, situated at Teiba Intermediate Schol for Girls, as follows: There were posters of Iraqi Coalition List and Iraqi List at a distance of 5 metres from the centre. The National Guard and police inside the centre are supporting Allawi's list, and ask each voter: 'Which list are you voting for?'. While seraching women, they were asked: 'Whom are you voting for, and why?' Nasseriya: In Shatra district, an armed group is forcing voters to caast their votes for List 169. Umarah: A number of cars are doing publicity and ask voters to give their vptees to List 169 (including a car with number plate 7207). Five metres away from the election centre, a group of persons was calling for people to vote for List 169. Samawah: All monitors and organisations, including monitors of political entities, were expelled at Al-Salam election centre, in Khashaba area. In Warkaa district, monitors and agents of electoral lists were also expelled. Kut: In Izzah district, at Al-Hawraa election centre, candle were lit along the way and people are directed to vote for List 169. The preacher at Izzah mosque declares through loudspeakers that it is Al-Ghadir Day and the feast of List 169. Arbil: Some people put a moisturising cream on their finger tips and then dip it in the ink (when voting). The ink would then be easily removed because of the moisturising cream. Baghdad: in Al-Thawra city, Sector 57, an election centre was targeted with a mortar shell. in Al-Thawra city, Sector 56, there are no monitors and agents of lists. A group supporting List 169 brings large numbers of women to cast their votes. Basra: in Al-Jam'iyyat district, boxes were found which contained ballot papers even before they had been opened. After examining these papers, it was confirmed that they had been there before the voting. in Al-Jihad district, there are 3 centre that are not functioning. On of which is at Al-Baidaa School. When voters registered there went to other centres, they were turned back under the pretext that their names did not exist in that centre. in Al-Shurta AL-Khamisa: the election centre at Al-Majidat mixed primary school does no have records, and there no one to check the voter's identity. People who want to vote pick up a ballot paper, ticking and placing it in the boxes. Some are publicizing the Cloalition List, others Allawi's List. The election centre at Kinana School was hit by a mortar shell, and a number of people were killed and wounded. Creams and lotions are used on fingers before voting so that the coloured substance (ink) can be removed after casting a vote, thus helping to vote several times at other centres.



--'Tammuz Network for Election Monitoring - Iraq' is an NGO election monitoring organization and has monitors all over Iraq.