Baghdad – The Arab Council in Kirkuk has raised strong concerns over a major election policy change. On Sunday, the council urged Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to reverse its decision. The commission recently eliminated the use of indelible ink in the upcoming November 11 parliamentary elections.
The council described the ink’s removal as dangerous and unacceptable. It said the measure is essential to restore electoral trust, especially in Kirkuk. This province has long suffered from disputes over election credibility and transparency.
In a public statement, the council called the ink a “vital tool” for preventing fraud. It warned that without it, public confidence in the voting process may collapse. In addition, they say advanced biometric cards alone are not enough.
IHEC, however, claims that biometric voter cards offer complete security. The commission believes these cards prevent duplicate votes and protect against manipulation. Still, the Arab Council strongly disagrees with this stance. It argues that Kirkuk’s sensitive political environment requires stronger safeguards.
Beyond the ink issue, the council criticized IHEC’s slow response to court rulings. Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court had previously ordered a full audit of the voter registry. The council questioned why this ruling has not yet been fully enforced. It warned that ignoring legal decisions will only deepen public skepticism.
Additionally, the council raised alarms over voter registration trends in Kirkuk. It alleged a surge in new Kurdish voter registrations across the province. This, it said, could alter the local demographic balance. The council fears such shifts may further destabilize the region’s already fragile coexistence.
In short, The group called on IHEC to act immediately. It said the commission must take serious steps to restore electoral trust. That includes reintroducing ink, respecting court decisions, and auditing voter data thoroughly.
With the elections nearing, tensions continue to rise. Stakeholders across Iraq are watching Kirkuk closely. Many believe that how these issues are handled will determine whether Iraq can restore electoral trust in its democratic process.
