Nineveh Information Office: 25% of biometric voting cards yet to be distributed

SHANKAL, Iraq — Sufyan Hatem, head of the Nineveh Information Office, told media network Rudaw on Sunday that the delivery of biometric cards for the October’s parliamentary election vote is approximately 75%.

The percentage of people who did not receive the cards was estimated at 25%, the majority of them in the western regions, such as Shankal (Shengal), most of whom are thought to be displaced from their homes.

Despite Nineveh being home to large population centers of national minorities, of the 402 candidates on the general ballot, only 22 are Yezidis, Shabaks, or Christians.

Nebras Abu Suda, assistant spokesperson for the Independent High Electoral Commission, said that the upcoming elections will be held in 8,273 schools, adding that the Commission has been coordinating with the Ministry of Education as part of the election plan.

As for the special ballot, Nebras said 595 military unit centers will be set up, with displaced persons being able to vote within their camps.

The Independent High Electoral Commission indicated that over 24 million people are eligible to participate and vote in Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections.