Tammuz Organization for Social development issues a statement on its third voter registration report covering the period from 7 August to 14 August

Tammuz organization for Social Development issued its third monitoring voter registration report during the period from 7 August to 14 August 2008 which is the last period of the duration determined by the Independent High Electoral Commission for the voter registration process which was begun on 15\7\2008
The report indicates that the commission has formed mobile teams for a number of registration centers in several governorates, in order to expand the citizens’ participation to register. This approach has proved to be of great assistance in increasing the number of voter register applicants.
Especially that some of these teams go to ration items agents and mark all the names that are in the ration agent’s list which has triggered the organization to accompany the mobile teams to observe these teams directly. The team has recorded many notes can be summarized as follows:
1. Continuation of field visits by the UN delegation as well as Independent High Electoral commission officials, whether by commissioners or regional office directors, to the voter registration center. These visits had a good impact on the success of the mission.
2. The Center of “the Revolution of 1920” No. 734 in the governorate of Najaf was chosen as the best center in the governorate.
And it was awarded an award by the Independent High Electoral Commission for the discipline of its staff to the scheduled time and for not recording any violations or problems.
3. The observers and activists of our network continued to talk with people about the importance of attending the registration centers for the purpose of marking their names in the register of voters.
4. Mistakes and deficiencies that had been recorded in the period prior to the registration process have largely decreased, and some centers have been closed early because of some security problems.
5. “Al-Asayish the “security forces in the Kurdistan region, continued their communications in each area of Erbil and following up on the displaced families, In order to register their names in the register of voters, which contributed to the application of almost all families to registration centers and the Immigration department and thus add and register their names in the voter registration centers.
6. The number of applicants of registration centers has increased compared with the number of applicants during the previous period, but the percentage is still small, despite the increase compared with the number of citizens who are eligible to vote.
7. The voter registration process was smoothly conducted and without any security incidents or breaches. It was found that 11.43% of the persons in the sample indicated that there were some threats that were distributed to the governorates, especially Baghdad, Diyala, Maysan and the rest of the provinces with very few percentages. The lack of threats appears to be linked to the presence of adequate security forces to protect the registration centers. Experience indicates that this period witnessed some relaxation in the political situation and reaching some consensus, which was reflected in the registration process and the security situation in general.
8. There has been a significant improvement in the activity of the Independent Electoral Commission. This is evidenced by the following indicators:
• Continued visits to the directors of voter registration centers in the governorates and that gives support and attention to the Independent Electoral Commission staff and voter registration process.
• The presence of the members of the registration centers teams in time for registration.
• Better selection of the registration centers and providing the necessary protection for it.
• The technical preparations needed for this process (voter registration, registration forms, stationery, etc.) were good and indicated an early readiness for this process, although we were surprised that there was not any box to preserve necessary materials at some registration centers.
• Voters’ entry to the registration centers was conducted on a regular basis, which indicates a good preparation by the Commission, despite the lack of applicants.
• There was noticeable cooperation among Commission staff, voters and political entity agents in general. This has been reflected in the fact that there were very few complaints recorded against the Commission. Complaints related to distance of a number of registration centers and not complaints regarding the registration process were noted.
• Good dealing and positive attitude with the issues of the displaced and migrants, allowing voters (migrants and displaced) to register in the register of voters in places other than their places of origin.
No observer has been sacked from the registration centers during the period of our current report, and this is a positive situation that should be taken into account in the upcoming electoral processes, it indicates an increased awareness and mutual respect between the Commission staff and civil society observers and respect for laws and regulations issued by the Electoral Commission.
Media Office of Tammuz Organization for Social Development
3 September 2008