Iraq: Kirkuk delegations meet UN envoy to discuss concerns over voter registration

The senior United Nations envoy to Iraq today met representatives of the Turkman and Arab communities in Kirkuk who are concerned about high numbers of newly registered voters in the area.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative, Ashraf Qazi, held separate talks with the delegations, who discussed the need for robust safeguards to ensure the integrity of the vote in the 15 October Referendum on the Draft Constitution, as well as elections slated to be held in December, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq.

The delegations voiced concern with regard to the situation in Kirkuk, emphasizing the need for adequate political representation for the various communities. They also raised their concerns regarding detentions and the human rights situation.

Mr. Qazi discussed their ideas on measures to enhance public confidence in the electoral process and noted that a range of safeguards were currently being put in place by the concerned authorities.

He “assured the delegations that the UNAMI electoral unit and human rights office were committed to enabling the Iraqi authorities to uphold internationally accepted norms of human rights and ensure a free and, inclusive and transparent political process,” the mission said.