IHEC gave false information on election monitoring

The IHEC (Independent High Electoral Commision) of Iraq falsely stated that the IRI (International Republican Institute) was monitoring the elections in Kurdistan.

The IRI immediately denied that was the case:

For Immediate Release
July 24, 2009

Clarification on Media Reports Stating that IRI is Monitoring the Kurdistan Regional Elections

“There have been recent media reports that cite Hamdiya al-Husseini, the chairwoman of the Kurdish region's electoral commission, as saying that the International Republican Institute (IRI) will be sending international monitors to observe the Kurdistan Regional elections scheduled for Saturday, July 25.

“According to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observers and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers, which IRI endorses, an election observation mission is ‘the systematic, comprehensive and accurate gathering of information concerning the laws, processes and institutions related to the conduct of elections and other factors concerning the overall electoral environment; the impartial and professional analysis of such information; and the drawing of conclusions about the character of electoral processes based on the highest standards for accuracy of information and impartiality of analysis.’

“As such, IRI will not be monitoring the Kurdistan Regional elections. Rather, a small number of IRI staff will conduct a program assessment on Election Day of the Institute’s voter education and voter turnout programs.

“IRI will not be issuing any findings on the elections itself.”

Link to this statement on IRI website.