[Excerpt: âWe estimate there are about 100,000 Iraqis living in the UAE, the number could turn out to be as high as 120,000, 70 per cent of whom we expect will be eligible to vote,â Ms Baldwin said, adding that voters need to prove three things to be eligible to vote: first they need a proof of identity, ideally a photo ID; proof that the voter is over 18 years of age, that is he/she was born on or before December 31, 1986; and proof of citizenship.......Iraqis in the GCC and the Middle East, can come to the UAE to vote if they wish.] _http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2005/January /theuae_January195.xml§ion=theuae&col_ (http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display Article.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2005/January/theuae_January195.xml§ion=theuae&col) = Iraqis in UAE can vote By Hani M Bathish 7 January 2005
DUBAI â Iraqi citizens living in the UAE and Gulf region will have the opportunity to register and vote in their countryâs upcoming Iraq National Assembly Elections. The UAE is one of 14 countries selected as ideal locations for setting up oversees polling stations, thus allowing Iraqis in the diaspora to feel a much-needed connection to their homeland, but more important to feel part of the democratic process. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the UAE to conduct voting for the 2005 Iraqi National Assembly elections in the UAE. Nicola Baldwin, Country Chief of External Relations for the IOMâs Iraq Out-of-Country Voting Programme, told the Khaleej Times that voter registration will be open from January 17 to 23 and voting will commence from January 28 to 30 at designated polling stations, one in Dubai and another in Abu Dhabi. The locations of these polling stations are yet to be announced. âThe IOM signed an MoU with the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) to conduct a limited out of country voting programme in 14 countries in a credible and fair manner, allowing Iraqis living abroad to participate in national assembly elections,â Ms Baldwin said. She said that a medial campaign and a voter education programme has commenced and will provide Iraqi citizens which much-needed information on how to vote, what documents will be needed and where to go to register. The campaign which began earlier this week will continue up to the election date, she added. âWe estimate there are about 100,000 Iraqis living in the UAE, the number could turn out to be as high as 120,000, 70 per cent of whom we expect will be eligible to vote,â Ms Baldwin said, adding that voters need to prove three things to be eligible to vote: first they need a proof of identity, ideally a photo ID; proof that the voter is over 18 years of age, that is he/she was born on or before December 31, 1986; and proof of citizenship. She said that proof of citizenship, or âIraqinessâ, can be established by passport or birth certificate or through a document proving the father was Iraqi, or alternatively through an Iraqi military service document. Iraqis in the GCC and the Middle East, can come to the UAE to vote if they wish. Ms Baldwin stressed that voters are solely responsible for covering their own expenses while in the UAE. âThe four-day gap between the end of registration and the start of voting is essential for election observers to go over the list of voters and submit any objection they might have to certain individuals voting. âThe vote count from polling stations abroad will be in by February 5. If there is any suggestion of a miscount or if there is a need to recount, it will be done by IOM. Every political party can send a representative to observe and monitor the count,â Baldwin said. Votes collected in the UAE will be counted by the IOM in the UAE and then sent to Baghdad. Help lines have been set up to receive calls and answer questions. In the UAE Iraqis may call toll free 800 9226, enquire via e-mail on [EMAIL PROTECTED] (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) or access the web site _www.iraqocv.com_ (http://www.iraqocv.com) . 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