Barzani invites international NGOs to observe independence referendum

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region President called upon the international organizations to observe the Region’s referendum for the independence.

Masoud Barzani, the Kurdistan Region President, during a speech to journalists, writers and artists in Erbil on Wednesday, called on international organizations to observe the independence referendum.

“I call upon all the civil international organizations and rights groups to witness the transparency of the independence referendum in the Kurdistan Region and our doors are open to them,” Barzani stated.

Earlier this week, the Kurdistan’s Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission (IHERC) in a statement invited all international bodies who wish to observe Kurdistan’s Referendum on independence to register and accredit their observers by the IHERC.

According to the statement, an authorized representative of the NGO must complete two registration forms and submit them to IHERC by email or in person.

On Wednesday, the IHERC revealed the sample ballot paper, which shows the question written in four languages: Kurdish, Arabic, Turkmen, and Assyrian.

"Do you want the Kurdistan Region and Kurdistani areas outside of the [Kurdistan] Region to become an independent country?" the question asks in all four languages.

On Sep. 5, the official campaign promoting the upcoming referendum on independence for the Kurdistan Region was launched and will go on until the 22nd of the month.

According to IHERC figures, 5.5 million people from the Kurdistan Region, the Kurdistani areas outside of the KRG's administration, and in the diaspora, are eligible to vote in the independence referendum.

Editing by Ava Homa