New voter cards go out in Baghdad

BAGHDAD - Iraqi election officials began handing out new, computerized voter-identification cards Saturday across the capital as the country prepares for its first nationwide election since the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

But the more than $100 million push to modernize voting comes as officials can’t distribute cards in Anbar province, where al-Qaida fighters seized control of parts of two cities, and as militant attacks rage on unabated, killing at least 14 people alone Saturday and wounding nearly two dozen.

The new voter cards, which include a computer chip, will allow election officials to check a voter’s identity and try to halt fraud.

Several Iraqi political blocs purported that some people voted multiple times in the last vote in 2010, although the results of the election were not widely disputed.

In previous elections, voters had to go through lists glued outside balloting centers to find their names before going inside.

Nearly 22 million Iraqis are eligible to cast their ballots in April 30 parliamentary elections.

Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki is seeking a third term despite objections from political rivals.

Voters in 13 of Iraq’s 18 provinces began to receive cards three weeks ago, Independent High Electoral Commission official Aziz al-Kheikani said.

Distribution began Saturday in four new provinces, he said.

Front Section, Pages 6 on 02/23/2014

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