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IMIE Releases Preliminary Statement on Iraq OCV

Amman – December 16, 2005 - The International Mission for Iraqi Elections (IMIE) continues to monitor developments in the Iraqi Out-of-Country Voting (OCV). The IMIE deployed four hundred international observers who monitored all polling centres in the fifteen countries where OCV took place. The IMIE reiterates that its findings are preliminary until all reporting is finalised and analysed by its expert assessors.

Based on information to hand, Paul Dacey, Vice Chair of the IMIE Steering Committee stated: "By and large, the IECI conducted an efficient OCV process and there has been a significant increase in voter turnout with approximately 320,000 ballots cast."

However, IMIE monitors have reported that in Istanbul there was organized and widespread multiple voting which casts doubt on the legitimacy of the vote in those polling centres.

Mr Dacey added: "The IMIE urges the IECI to take appropriate measures in order to investigate and, if necessary, invalidate suspect ballots and take any further action as required. The IMIE looks forward to reviewing the findings of the IECI's investigation."

In addition, IMIE monitors in other countries have reported procedural problems that did not allow for full transparency. In particular, polling centre staff failed to permit monitors to verify voter lists.

The IMIE will continue to monitor and assess information as it becomes available and will provide further details and recommendations in its final report.

OCV was conducted in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Sweden, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

For further information please contact Mr. Fadi Hammoud, Media/Communications Director at (962) 79-644-4738 or via email at fadi.hammoud@elections.ca, or visit the IMIE Website: www.imie.ca.