Polling centers in Rasafa see high turnout– IHEC

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The media director of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in Baghdad, Rasafa side, on Saturday said that 99 percent of the polling centers in the area are currently seeing a high turnout. “The early hours of the morning saw low turnout, but after 11:00 am, the situation has changed,” Hussein Ali Abdelameer told IraqiNews.com news agency. He praised the role of Iraqi forces in preserving security and prevening violations. Abdelameer admitted some “slight violations” by political blocs’ representatives. Voters have been heading to polling stations in Baghdad and 13 other Iraqi provinces since 07:00 a.m. Saturday to elect their representatives in the country’s provincial councils amidst tight security measures. Over 15 million voters from 14 out of Iraq’s 18 provinces will participate in this election, according to the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC). Security personnel, prisoners sentenced to less than five years and hospital-bound patients cast early ballots in the special voting held on Wednesday (Jan. 28). MH (P) / SS 1