Iraq says Kurdish parties coerce employees to vote

By Amir al-Saadi

BAGHDAD (AA) – The Iraqi government has accused parties in northern Iraq’s Kurdish region of coercing employees and security personnel into voting in this month’s parliamentary election.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said there were reports about employees and security personnel being forced to vote in a “certain direction”.

“If proved true, these practices would constitute a grave violation of laws,” Saad al-Hadithi said in a statement on Saturday.

He went on to call on Iraqi citizens “to disregard these threats”.

There was no comment from Kurdish parties on the accusation.

Iraq will hold parliamentary election on May 12, in which 7376 candidates are vying for a seat in the 328-member parliament.

The vote is the first since last year’s defeat of Daesh terrorist group after a three-year war.

Around 24 million Iraqis are eligible to cast ballot in the polls.