Iraqi community in London prepares to vote

By Rania Karam in London
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-03-02

[Scott Barbour/Getty Images] Iraqis living in London can vote in one of four special election centres.

With the Iraqi parliamentary elections approaching, efforts are being intensified in order to educate the Iraqi community in the United Kingdom on the importance of electing their political leaders.

While the parties and political blocks compete to gain voters' trust, the Independent High Electoral Commission continues its campaign to encourage Iraqis living abroad to register and participate in the elections that will span March 5-7.

The Commission's UK office published a variety of explanatory brochures targeting Iraqis, distributed to Iraqi organisations and associations as well as public places frequented by Iraqis across London. The office also provided a hotline which people can call to get specific information on voting procedures and eligibility questions. The office trained 200 individuals who will work in the election centres.

Al-Shorfa visited Mr. Alaa Abdul Lateef, manager of the Commission's London office.

Al-Shorfa: How many Iraqi voters are there in the UK?

Alaa Abdul Lateef: This is the second time that Iraq is organising elections in which Iraqis living abroad are able to participate following the December 15, 2005 elections which saw the first session of the Iraqi parliament. This time, 16 countries have been designated to hold parliamentary elections on their soil. The Independent High Electoral Commission is keen to allow all Iraqis living outside of Iraq to participate in these elections so that they can determine the political future of their country.

But there are no accurate statistics on the number of Iraqis living in the UK, and we have been facing this problem ever since we came here from Iraq. There are no statistics or voter lists which can provide an exact number. But, nevertheless, we have relied on some statistics that the Iraqi embassy has, or those available at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), or by inquiring at civil society groups and organisations. These numbers are between 100,000 and 150,000 Iraqi voters.

Al-Shorfa: What about their numbers in other European countries?

Abdul Lateef: Actually, neither the Iraqi institutions nor the commission have accurate statistics on the number of Iraqis living in Europe. We rely principally on the statistics relating to the number of voters in the previous elections in addition to the statistics available at the IOM. Despite the lack of real statistics from which to calculate the number of Iraqis in Europe, estimates vary between 1 and 2 million Iraqis residing in Europe, but this is not an accurate number.

Al-Shorfa: Where is the largest Iraqi community in Europe?

Abdul Lateef: The UK is considered among the highest in terms of the number of Iraqis residing there compared to other European countries. The UK is third on the list of countries where out-of-country elections are held. There is a large Iraqi community in Syria, and another large one in Jordan. The UK comes next after these two in terms of the size of the Iraqi community.

Al-Shorfa: What is the percentage of voter turnout that you are anticipating?

Abdul Lateef: It is up to the Iraqi voter to decide. But our anticipation is that it will be high and could exceed 60%. Incidentally, I call upon all the members of the Iraqi community in the UK to actively participate in these elections, and I hope for a massive participation.

Al-Shorfa: Where will the votes cast outside of Iraq be counted?

Abdul Lateef: It will be at the election centres. After the elections are over, the election data will be entered, and then the counting will begin.

Al-Shorfa: Will there be representatives of the political parties inside the election centres?

Abdul Lateef: Yes. From February 10th until March 2nd, applications for approval of representatives from political parties and election observers will be received. This requires an effort on the part of these political groups and the observers in order to guarantee the fairness of the elections and to supervise them. They are working in partnership with the Commission in this electoral process. They will have the right to oversee the whole process from beginning to end.

Al-Shorfa: How is the registration of Iraqi voters handled?

Abdul Lateef: The process of voter registration will take place during the election days, meaning that the voter would be able to register and vote at the same time.

Al-Shorfa: What is the role of the British authorities in the elections that are being held on their soil?

Abdul Lateef: The role of the British government is limited to providing assistance by granting the permission needed to open the election centres. Also, they will provide security for the voters. These are the principal tasks on which a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Commission and the British authorities.

Al-Shorfa: Have you been notified of attempts at luring voters or buying their votes or pressuring them to vote for a particular party?

Abdul Lateef: We have not received any complaints in this regard so far.

Al-Shorfa: Where are the election centres located?

Abdul Lateef: Four election centres will be opened in the UK: two in London, one in Birmingham (central Britain) and a fourth one in Manchester (north Britain).

Al-Shorfa: Who is eligible to vote in the UK?

Abdul Lateef: Every voter who is qualified and who is 18 years of age and older is eligible to vote, and those who have the required documents proving their Iraqi nationality or the province they belong to.

Al-Shorfa: What about cases where the individual is born in the UK, and they do not have Iraqi documents even though they are of Iraqi origin?

Abdul Lateef: We have addressed this issue by accepting the documents of the father especially in the case of a person who is born in the UK. He can present documents proving that he is the son of an Iraqi father.

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