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IHEC urges last-minute collection of biometric cards ahead of campaign deadline

"Those citizens who have not received their biometric cards cannot vote," Omar emphasized, highlighting the importance of the cards for participation in the upcoming elections.

A voter shows his ink-stained index finger with his biometric voting card after having cast his vote. (Photo: AFP/Re-designed by Kurdistan24)
A voter shows his ink-stained index finger with his biometric voting card after having cast his vote. (Photo: AFP/Re-designed by Kurdistan24)

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Nabard Omar, director of the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC)'s office in the Kurdistan Region, has announced that citizens who have not yet collected their biometric cards have until tomorrow morning, Oct. 15, to do so.

The announcement comes as the electoral campaign period for the Kurdistan parliamentary elections concludes at 12 pm on the same day, Oct. 15.

In a press conference held on Monday, Omar stated, “Tomorrow, Oct. 15 until 12 pm is the end of the election campaign. Those who have not received their biometric cards can collect them until tomorrow morning after work.”

Omar revealed that around 112,000 biometric cards remain uncollected in various offices across the Kurdistan Region, including 12,000 cards in Duhok, 73,000 in Sulaimani, and 27,000 in Erbil. He noted that the unclaimed cards would be returned to Baghdad after the deadline.

"Those citizens who have not received their biometric cards cannot vote," Omar emphasized, highlighting the importance of the cards for participation in the upcoming elections.

He also expressed gratitude to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for their support during the registration process and for assisting international observers who have come to the Kurdistan Region to monitor the electoral process.

With the campaign period nearing its end and Election Day approaching, the IHEC is urging eligible voters to collect their biometric cards to ensure their participation in this critical democratic exercise.