Iraqi Kurds vote in historic independence referendum

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The Iraqi Kurds on Monday cast their votes in a referendum that will determine the independence of the Kurdish region and the disputed areas that are currently under de facto Kurdish control.

Polling stations opened their doors at 8:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) and should close at 6:00 p.m. The final results should be announced within 72 hours.

The voting is open to all registered residents, Kurds and non-Kurds, in the Kurdish-held areas in northern Iraq aged 18 or over, according to the referendum commission.

The commission estimates the number of eligible voters at 5.2 million, including those living abroad who started casting electronic ballots two days ago.

A woman casts her vote during Kurdish independence referendum in Erbil, Iraq September 25, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Voters should tick yes or no on the ballot paper asking them just one question in Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic and Assyrian: "Do you want the Kurdistan Region and Kurdistani areas outside the (Kurdistan) Region to become an independent country?"

The referendum is held despite intense international pressure on Iraqi Kurdish President Masoud Barzani to call it off, amid fears that it would spark fresh conflicts with Baghdad and with Iraq's powerful neighbors, Iran and Turkey.

Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency