USAID has now received comprehensive reports on the January 30 elections from more than 80% of the country’s polling places. These reports were completed by the 10,000 Iraqi monitors that were trained by USAID partners who conducted comprehensive polling center assessments at three times during the election day—at opening, midday, and closing. Each assessment considered key items such as opening and closing times, preparation and availability of documents, voter secrecy and intimidation, and correct electoral staff procedures. Below are the results of the monitors’ reporting.
| | Yes | No |
|---|
| Before the opening of the polls |
| Were any political entities campaigning within 100 meters of the polling center? |
12% |
88% |
|
Were security officers present around polling centers? |
95 |
5 |
|
Was there intimidation of voters near or inside the polling center? |
9 |
91 |
|
Were all polling station staff present? |
97 |
3 |
|
Were political entity agents present at the polling stations? |
78 |
22 |
|
Were any other domestic election observers present at the polling station? |
66 |
34 |
|
Were any observers turned away from the polling stations? |
8 |
92 |
|
Were any election materials (ballot paper, ballot box, ink, etc.) missing? |
10 |
90 |
|
Were the ballot boxes shown to be empty to all present? |
98 |
2 |
|
Were the ballot boxes properly sealed? |
99 |
1 |
|
Was the polling station opened on time? |
93 |
7 |
| During the election |
|
Did the polling start at 7:00 A.M.? |
85 |
15 |
|
Were any observers turned away from the polling station? |
5 |
95 |
|
Were the voters consistently allowed to enter the station? |
96 |
4 |
|
Were voters checked for traces of indelible ink? |
98 |
2 |
|
Was the identity of the voters checked properly? |
97 |
3 |
|
Were the names of voters properly searched on the voters ' list? |
97 |
3 |
|
When the names of voters were added to the voters’ list, was the proper proof of registration provided? |
90 |
10 |
|
Were the ballots properly verified by stamp before issued to voters? |
98 |
2 |
|
Was the polling station organized so voters could vote privately? |
95 |
5 |
|
Was the privacy of any voter violated? |
14 |
86 |
|
Did any voter vote more than once? |
9 |
91 |
|
Was the finger of the voter properly marked with ink before they put their ballot into the ballot box? |
98 |
2 |
|
Were all the ballots placed into the proper ballot boxes? |
99 |
1 |
|
Were the ballot boxes visible to everybody throughout the entire process? |
99 |
1 |
|
Did the overall process allow voters to vote freely and privately? |
97 |
3 |
| During the counting and closing |
|
Did the polling finish at 5:00 P.M.? |
92 |
8 |
|
Did all voters in line when the polling was closed have a chance to vote? |
94 |
6 |
|
Were any of voters who arrived after 5:00 P.M. allowed to vote? |
27 |
73 |
|
Was the polling station closed on time? |
91 |
9 |
|
Was the closing of the polling station conducted in order with the procedures? |
99 |
1 |
|
Was the counting open to the public? |
93 |
7 |
|
Was intimidation or disruption observed inside or outside the polling station? |
15 |
85 |
|
Did the counting start immediately after the close of poll? |
89 |
11 |
|
Were all writing materials removed from the counting area prior to counting? |
99 |
1 |
|
Were the seal numbers on the ballots boxes the same seal numbers from the opening? |
99 |
1 |
|
Did the presiding officer enter all relevant information in accordance with procedures? |
98 |
2 |
|
Were there any discrepancies during the reconciliation of ballots? |
15 |
85 |
|
Was the counting conducted in accordance with the procedures? |
98 |
2 |
|
Did the reconciliation of ballots match? |
98 |
2 |
|
Did the presiding officer announce the preliminary results of election? |
89 |
11 |
|
Were the materials packed and sealed at the polling station in accordance with the procedures? |
97 |
3 |
|
Were there any interruptions to the counting process? |
14 |
86 |
