Thousands of Iraqi intellectuals to monitor constitution referendum

[ECH1969]

In the absence of foreign monitors due to mounting violence, Iraqi writers, artists and other intellectuals have volunteered to oversee the referendum on the constitution scheduled for October 15.

“Thousands have already come forward and we expect the final figure to reach 40,000 monitors,” commission member Hussein Hindawi said. Iraqi intellectuals have seven more days to come forward to register their names as independent monitors, Hindawi said.

The commission has formed 28 major groups with 14,000 members who intend to be present at the voting stations across the country. Iraqi Writers Union has urged members to register their names for the task. The number of unionized Iraqi intellectuals – artists, musicians, actors, writers, journalists, etc. – tops 40,000.

Trade unions bringing the intellectuals together have even urged their branches in provinces across the country to have their members monitor the referendum. Hindawi said the commission also intends to rely on the intellectuals to monitor the forthcoming general elections expected to take place 70 days after the referendum.

http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news/2005-09-27/10534.htm
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I wish we would do this to monitor our elections.

[ECH1969]

1. Didn't Michael Moore do some monitoring in FL

this time around?