Iraq voting: Passport class restriction disappoints dozens

Dubai: Dozens of Iraqis were unable to cast their votes yesterday at the Dubai centre due to their lack of proper identification papers and the wrong class of Iraqi passport.

Dubai, however, saw a large turnout of voters at the Airport Expo, where special arrangements had been made and by late afternoon the polling station was packed. Dubai Police kept a close watch to ensure smooth proceedings.

However, confusion began when voters holding S-class and H-class passports were informed that they would not be allowed to vote. Only those with G-class passports were approved to vote by the authorities in Baghdad.

One voter, who wanted to be identified only as Tariq and is based in Qatar, had come all the way to Dubai along with his family, but was turned away since he lacked the proper documents. "I arrived early morning along with my family from Qatar and now they tell me that I should go back and get my papers. How can I go back? It [G-class passport] is there in my house in Qatar. Flying back will cost me. When I informed the officials they asked me to tell my friends in Qatar to courier the identification papers from Qatar," he told Gulf News. Unable to decide, Tariq was heard discussing his case with Iraqi officials in the hope that he and his family could vote.

By 1.30pm more than 750 Iraqis had voted. A polling official who did not want to be named confirmed that there were some problems related to identification papers.

"But we have solved that problem. The polling started at 8am and we are open until 6pm. We did inform Iraqis through the media that only holders of G-class passports are approved for the elections," he said.

Mana Saeed, a Dubai-based Iraqi, was delighted to get the opportunity to cast her vote. She said: "I hope that my participation will bring some change in the government in Iraq."

Asra Salah, a representative of the Iraqiya party of Dr Eyad Allawi, said that the polling station managers are not following the rules under which they are not allowed to speak to the voters. "I tried to talk to them when I came across instances, but they just talk back in a harsh tone."

Ali, another voter, said he was thrilled: "I am just happy that we Iraqis have got to vote in Dubai. The arrangements made are excellent and so far things have gone hassle-free."