Turkish observers to monitor Iraqi elections

The election is Iraq's second for a full four-year parliament under the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that elections were also important for solution to country's problems on a basis of political consensus.

The ministry recalled that all political groups in Iraq and the international community expected that elections would "reflect the free will of Iraqi people", urging that the voting should not cause controversies of legitimacy.

Stating that Turkey attached great importance to political consensus and culture of democracy in Iraq, the ministry said Turkey would monitor elections with a large group of observers at the invitation of Iraqi election board.

A total of 46 Turkish observers would monitor elections, it said.

Around 950,000 people who will not be able to vote on Sunday were expected to take part in Thursday's early voting for the second national ballot.

A total of 6,500 candidates will contest Sunday's ballot in an election that will feature 10,000 polling stations and 54,000 ballot boxes, according to Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission.

Travel around the country has been restricted and the authorities have cancelled all leave for security services.


/World Bulletin/