Iraq postpones announcement of referendum results

The higher commission for elections in Iraq postponed announcing final results of the referendum on the constitution until results of the referendum in certain governorates are audited. A statement by the commission said it needs several days to check lists coming from most of the governorates after these lists showed unusually high figures in comparison with international standards in adopting the results of the elections.

The statement indicated that samples from the ballot boxes from various governorates will be tested, especially those that showed very high or very low percentages. The statement gave no mention to falsification operations. One official in the commission considered it is too early to confirm that these figures are not correct and that they effect the results, in general.

This came after complaints to that the Iraqi police confiscated voting ballots in areas of a Sunni majority which reject the constitution, like in the governorate of Deyali before the end of voting, while Sunni sources confirmed that the number of voters was higher than those registered in the lists in the areas that support the constitution (Shiite and Kurdish areas)

One official in the commission announced that the rate of support reached more than 90% in the governorates of Basra, Karbala, Meisan, Zee Qar, Najaf and Waset. He added that the governorate of Salah Eddine rejected the constitution by a majority of 80% and 54% in Deyali. Worthy mentioning that the draft constitution fails of it is rejected by two third majority in three governorates.