Kurds want poll panel chief freed

Arbil Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region has called for the release of the electoral commission head and another member arrested on corruption charges, saying the move by Baghdad authorities threatened the country's democratic process.

The central government and Arbil have long-running disputes over political autonomy, oil rights and contested territories and tensions have escalated recently following a clash over oil exports.

The head of the Independent Electoral High Commission (IHEC), Faraj Al Haidari, and member Karim Al Tamimi were arrested on Thursday on charges they had given bonuses to some employees of the body, charges they denied.

Their arrests signalled an apparent move by Baghdad for more government control of independent bodies and a statement by a Kurdish presidency spokesman said it showed the central government was disregarding democratic procedures in Iraq.