Iraq to implement ‘integrated’ plan to secure November ballot

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq says an “integrated security plan” has been designed to secure the country’s upcoming legislative elections, only 13 days away.

Lieutenant General Waleed Khalifa al-Tamimi, Commander of the Baghdad Operations Command, late on Tuesday told the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) that “an integrated security plan has been prepared to secure the upcoming electoral process, ensuring the provision of a stable and safe environment for voters, candidates and all personnel working in the polling centers."

He added that the plan entails a “distribution of tasks and responsibilities among all formations and units” assigned with enforcing it, “along with tightening inspection and protection procedures around polling centers, and monitoring main and secondary roads to prevent any attempts to destabilize security or influence the will of the voters."

Tamimi pointed to the “enhanced cooperation and joint coordination” with Iraq’s top electoral body the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) - as well as with “intelligence agencies, and supporting bodies to exchange information immediately, and activating technical efforts and cameras to monitor any suspicious or illegal activity."

"The Baghdad Operations Command's full commitment to professional neutrality, standing at an equal distance from all political blocs and candidates, and working with all efforts to ensure the success of the elections in a way that reflects the true image of democracy in Iraq,” the senior security official concluded.

Iraq is set to hold its sixth legislative elections since the 2003 ouster of the Baath regime on November 11.

The IHEC on Sunday released updated statistics showing that 7,754 candidates will be competing in the key ballot.

Election campaigning officially began on October 3 and will continue until November 8 - three days agead if the general vote.