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 5 February 2010
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UNHCR is set to support out of country voting for Iraqi elections

05/02/2010

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has expressed its readiness to facilitate the participation of Iraqi refugees in the March 7 elections in Iraq.

Iraqi elections

Iraqi elections

The agency says it was approached by the Iraqi Election commission to assist in what is considered to be a major opportunity to consolidate national reconciliation.

UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming explains.

"The services that we will provide or can provide is limited to providing demographic data on the Iraqis that we have registered. We also plan to have a campaign, information campaign so that Iraqis outside of the country are informed of their rights to vote and any logistical support, but we will not be running the elections per se."

According to UNHCR's records, there are approximately 300,000 Iraqi refugees in the region, and 190, 000 of them are of voting age.

The agency notes that the total count of Iraqis living in the region is unknown as hundreds and thousands do not register with UNHCR for a variety of reasons.

 Jocelyne Sambira, United Nations.

(duration: 1'07")

Sound bites

Melissa Fleming Cut 1

"The services that we will provide or can provide is limited to providing demographic data on the Iraqis that we have registered. We also plan to have a campaign, information campaign so that Iraqis outside of the country are informed of their rights to vote and any logistical support, but we will not be running the elections per se."
Duration: 00:00:23

Melissa Fleming Cut 2

"We all know that the Iraqi election considered to be a major opportunity to consolidate national reconciliation is taking place on 7 of Marcy and to let you know that UNHCR is standing ready to facilitate the participation of the Iraqi refugees living in the countries neighbouring."
Duration: 00:00:25

Melissa Fleming Cut 3

"The numbers that we have on our records there are 300,000 Iraqis, of those 190,000 of voting age, but to indicate that host governments are saying that these numbers might be greater. Just and aside, UNHCR only knows about numbers because we register people in order to be able to distribute aid. It's not refugee registration. So there are many people who actually don't come to us."
Duration: 00:00:32