For Immediate Release
December 28, 2004

Iraqi Expats to Vote in January Elections

Iraqi citizens living outside Iraq will be able to vote in the elections for the Iraqi National Assembly on January 30, 2005. A memorandum of understanding was signed on December 27th between the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq and the International Organization for Migration to establish of an Iraq Out-of-Country Voting Program. The program provides for Iraqis living in Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Iran, Jordan, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States to vote. Negotiations are still under way with Syria, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, so Iraqis living in these countries can also participate in the elections. These efforts help ensure that as many Iraqis as possible can vote.

Source: International Organization for Migration (www.iom.int)