Jordan Times
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Security measures in
place around polling stations
By Mohammad Ben Hussein
AMMAN — Strict security measures are in place
around polling stations set up for Iraqi expatriates residing in the Kingdom,
Iraqi and Jordanian officials said on Monday.
An official from the Ministry of Interior confirmed that the government had
taken extra security measures.
“We will have scores of policemen stationed in the vicinity of polling stations,
but we will not be using armoured vehicles,” said the official, who did not want
to be named.
“No policemen will enter the public schools where the ballots will be cast. The
police will be there to make sure everything goes well,” Hamdiah Husseini, vice
chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq told The Jordan Times.
Out-of-country voting for the Iraqi parliamentary elections opens today and
continues until Dec. 15.
The Karameh border post with Iraq was closed for passenger traffic as of
yesterday, following a request from the Iraqi authorities and will reopen on
Dec. 16.
Many eligible voters in Iraq are reluctant to vote in the elections due to
security concerns. During previous elections in the country several attacks were
launched on polling stations
Meanwhile, Husseini said she had received assurance from the Jordanian
government that visa and residence permit validity for Iraqis in Jordan would
not be checked during the election period.
“Iraqis without valid visas can vote freely,” she said, urging her countrymen to
take part in the elections.
Thousands of Iraqis are living in Jordan illegally. According to immigration
rules, Iraqis are allowed three-month visitors' visas but many overstay.
Jordan has opened 12 polling stations in public schools — 10 located in Amman,
one in Zarqa and one in Irbid.
Unofficial figures put the number of Iraqis currently residing in Jordan at
around 600,000, half of which are eligible voters.
A total of 307 political entities and 19 coalitions have registered to contest
for the 275 seats in the council, according to the commission.
This week's elections will decide power balance in Iraq for years to come.