Kurds Prevent Assyrians From Voting in North Iraq

Baghdad (AINA) — Voting boxes and supplies were not delivered to the predominantly Christian districts of Baghdeda, Bartilla, Karamlesh, Shekhan, Ain Sifne and Rimady, which have a population of 300,000 ChaldoAssyrians. The voting boxes were to be delivered from Arbil. Mr. Hendawy, an election official, and the Chief of Operations were contacted early in the morning and they repeatedly gave assurances that the boxes would arrive soon from Arbil, but without any results.

An Assyrian government official, who wishes to remain annonymous, stated that no collaboration was received from the Mosul Governor and the Mosul City Council concerning the personnel who must open the centers in the Christian villages. Instead of having the Assyrians manning these voting stations, officials said they were “obliged” to bring Muslims from Karbala, Baghdad and elsewhere to carry the responsibility in Mosul and the surrounding areas.

Polling places in Mosul and Rimady were to be kept open till 10 AM on Monday, to allow people to vote, but voting boxes and supplies had still not yet arrived, and no information was given on extending the polling deadline in Baghdeda, Bartilla, Karamlesh, Shekhan and Ain Sifne.

The New York Times reported this story, but erroneously labeled these areas and their inhabitants Kurdish.