KDP Engages in Electoral Violations in Erbil & Duhok

Kurdistan 03:38 PM - 2024-10-20

KDP's violations.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is reportedly continuing its violations and electoral campaigning in Erbil and Duhok openly. They are setting up campaign teams near polling stations to direct voters and exert pressure to vote for the KDP.

According to information received by PUKMEDIA, these teams are allegedly casting votes on behalf of voters under various pretexts.

Salma Fatih, spokesperson for the Alliance of Impartial Election Observers, told a news conference: "In Soran, voting cards are distributed at the Kolin polling station and foreigners have been brought to vote. In Duhok, political parties are not allowed to be observe. Surveillance cameras are not working in Shaqlawa. Observers have been expelled from Barzan, and there are many violations in Erbil.”

"Election campaigns are being conducted less than 20 meters near the polling stations in Khabat district, and well-known military personnel in civilian clothes are going to the polling stations and vote," she said.

At Khanda Primary Centre, Dashti Erbil Centre, and Judi Primary Centre, KDP teams were reportedly instructed to "assist" voters in entering polling stations, allegedly with the intention of encouraging them to vote for the KDP.

According to information obtained by PUKMEDIA from representatives of political entities and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, this situation has been observed at several other polling stations. At the Akoyan Centre, voting is reportedly being permitted without the necessary documentation. Additionally, at the Rawanduz Election Centre in Erbil, security forces are allegedly intervening in polling stations without reason, requesting information and statistics, which is considered a violation of the commission's guidelines.

There have also been numerous and clear violations reported in Duhok, where the KDP's electoral campaign continues.

There are also several clear violations in Duhok where campaigns are conducted near the polling stations, including  at the Hazel polling station in Zakho. At Chrash polling station in Duhok city, security forces entered and beat an observer of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). In Shaqlawa, only voting cards are used at the Sork station without any other documents which are needed to identify the voters.

The voting process began at 7:00 AM today and the turnout has reached 31% by noon and is scheduled to end at 6:00 PM.

 

 

PUKMEDIA