Over 40 customs employees prevented from voting

DIALA / IraqiNews.com: The office of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in Diala’s Mandali district has allegedly prevented more than 40 employees in the customs department from casting their votes today, according to the department’s head. “The main office of the commission’s office in Mandali district, Khanaqin (155 km north of Baaquba) has prevented over 40 voters from participating in the electoral process,” Col. Salah al-Anbaki told IraqiNews.com news agency. “Those employees were barred from voting on the pretext of not having the province’s ration cards,” Anbaki explained. Meanwhile, the director of the IHEC’s office in the province, Aamer Lateef, denied receiving any complaints in this regard. “We have heard of violations in some electoral centers, but these are inaccurate accusations as no official complaints have been made to the commission,” Lateef said. Baaquba, the capital city of Diala province, lies 57 km northeast of Baghdad. SS (P)/SR 1