The Supreme Security Committee unveils its special emergency procedures on the polling day

Baghdad-INA

The Supreme Security Committee for Elections revealed today, Saturday, the special emergency procedures on the polling day.

The head of the Committee, Lieutenant-General Abdul-Amir Al-Shammari, said in a press conference attended by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The committee has completed all the plans and preparations to safeguard the polling day, and it has conducted a number of security practices, to ensure that the plan is fully implemented, identifying the pros and cons of the plan."

He pointed out that "Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi will supervise the procedures for securing the elections and follow up on all details related to the security plan".

He added that " The security forces of all kinds entered into alert and will continue until after the end of the elections and will not allow anyone to influence the voters", noting that  "The measures will include closing all border crossings and airports, as well as closing the entrances to the provinces, preventing transporting among the provinces, banning the movement of wheels, bicycles and vehicles , and trains in all cities".

"The procedures also included authorizing the Supreme Security Committee to impose a curfew in Baghdad and the governorates, if it is necessary ,and in case of emergency, as well as to prevent all human gatherings, as well as prohibiting bringing mobile phones to polling stations, and to prevent  bringing firearms and cutting instruments from into or  around the polling stations, even if they are authorized, with the exception of the security forces responsible for electoral security, as well as prohibiting the use of drones even if they used for photo purposes," Al-Shammari confirmed.

Al-Shammari continued: “October tenth  will be an official holiday, except for the security, health, and service departments, affirming that all markets, malls, commercial centers, restaurants, and companies will be closed , except for stores of groceries, bakeries, and pharmacies, as the security forces will arrest all those who violate these procedures and refer them to the judiciary in accordance with the law."

For his part, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners at IHEC, Jalil Adnan Khalaf, said that "IHEC has a high-level coordination with the security services," noting that "all the Commission's warehouses are secured."