Journalists Query Accreditation Rules

The country’s electoral commission - which has issued hundreds of credentials for both local and foreign journalists - said although reporters could get application forms from their local election office, only Baghdad could issue the document itself, and it must be picked up in person.

A commission official, who declined to be named, said, "There can only be one central accreditation office, so as to ensure the process goes smoothly". He added that journalists were given 10 days to come to Baghdad and obtain the special identification cards. The accreditation deadline was January 28.

But journalists interviewed by IWPR complain that election-related restrictions on transportation and travel made it difficult for many to journey to Baghdad.

Despite the difficulties, Atif Abdullah, a journalist from Baaqubah, located north of Baghdad, said he had no choice but to come to the capital because the local commission office was closed because of violence in the area.

Reporter Haider Ali, who comes from the southern city of Najaf, thought he had followed the proper procedures to gain accreditation but was forced to stay in Baghdad longer than expected when he filled out a photocopy of the application form, instead of the original as required, causing a two-day delay.

Meanwhile, the interior ministry issued special credentials for cameramen, drivers and other technical staff to allow them to bring electronic equipment into polling stations.

The electoral commission will designate certain polling sites across Iraq where journalists can take pictures and film video. In Baghdad, the commission said cameras could be brought to two polling stations in the al-Rasafa neighbourhood and three sites in the al-Karha area.

Zaineb Naji is an IWPR trainee journalist in Iraq.