Iraqi parliament speaker objects to poll violations

By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraq’s parliament speaker on Saturday objected to what he said were electoral violations seen during the weekend general elections.

Speaking at a press conference, Salim al-Jabouri, who leads the Civil Society for Reform Party, urged the Independent High Electoral Commission to “maintain its neutrality and to look into all submitted objections”.

However, he gave no more details on the nature of the violations.

Commenting on Saturday’s election turnout, he said it “was not at the required level”.

“But we will not let the voters down and will represent them in the best way through state institutions,” he vowed.

On Saturday Anadolu Agency correspondents and observers witnessed electronic devices at polling stations stop working for some time due to technical failure, while there were also delays in opening ballot boxes in some areas.

Voting ended Saturday in Iraq’s first parliamentary election since authorities declared victory against the Daesh terrorist group.

The country's electoral commission will announce the turnout later in the day, while unofficial results are expected to be announced in two days.

Saturday’s election saw more than 7,000 candidates compete for spots in Iraq’s 328-seat national assembly.

Roughly 24 million Iraqis out of the country’s 37-million-strong population are registered to take part in the polls.

The election is the country’s first since Daesh was decisively defeated late last year after overrunning much of northern and western Iraq in 2014, and is being held under the shadow of economic crisis, the return of thousands of refugees, political polarization, and security concerns.