GOI ELECTIONS SECURITY PLAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 000260 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2020 TAGS: IZ KDEM PGOV PREL PTER SUBJECT: GOI ELECTIONS SECURITY PLAN Classified By: Pol-Mil Minister Counselor C. Munter for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The GOI released its election security plan to all field operational commanders at a conference on January 23. LTG Ayden Quadar presided over the conference and facilitated the ensuing discussions about preparations for elections security. The plan is largely based on the one used for the January 2009 provincial elections with only minor changes. The Ministry of Interior is the lead agency for implementing the security plan and, at the provincial level, the Operations Command Centers will be in charge of executing the plan. Separate plans for Ninewa, Diyala and Kirkuk have not been released but are expected shortly. Details such as curfews and closure of borders also have not been released but it is likely that those announcements will be made a few days prior to Election Day. According to the security plan, USF-I will only provide support if requested and in accordance with the Security Agreement. END SUMMARY. -------------- THE SECURITY PLAN -------------- ¶2. (C) On January 23, the Electoral Supreme Security Committee (ESSC),the body tasked with overseeing all elections security-related matters, released the official GOI Security Plan for the March 7 parliamentary elections to the field operational commanders. The plan was unveiled by LTG Ayden Quadar, Chairman of the ESSC and deputy Minister of Interior. During the conference, there was a line-by-line reading of the plan and lively discussion between LTG Ayden and the commanders present about security preparations for Election Day. LTG Ayden reiterated the importance of the neutrality of the security forces throughout the conference. Iraqi Security Forces are prohibited from distributing, publishing or posting any campaign or elections materials. He stated that aQ security forces caught in non-compliance with this order would be severely punished. The current plan is based largely on the security plan used for the January 2009 provincial elections with some minor amendments. ¶3. (C) The ministries responsible for executing the plan and ensuring security in the run up to and on Election Day are: Ministry of Interior (as the lead agency),Ministry of Defense, Ministry of State for National Security Affairs, Iraqi National Intelligence Service, Baghdad Operation Command and the Anti-terrorism Service. The range of responsibilities for the various ministries include: 1)providing security to polling centers, counting centers and storage locations; 2)facilitating Special Needs Voting on March 4 for those who qualify; 3)providing security for the transport of all election-related material; 4)monitor polling locations for any security breaches or violations; and 5)coordinating and disseminating relevant information to the various command centers. ¶4. (C) The plan will be implemented in each of the provinces by the Operations Command Centers. In provinces without Operations Command Centers the Police Commanders will be responsible for implementation. Iraqi Security Forces will be deployed to all election-related sites beginning at 0600 on March 5 to 1800 on March 9. On Election Day, there will be two tiers of security around each polling center. The first tier, directly surrounding the polling center will be manned by the Iraqi Police and the second tier will be manned by Qby the Iraqi Police and the second tier will be manned by either the Iraqi Police or the Iraqi Army depending on the location. The ESSC originally wanted all polling centers to have two female searchers. However, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and the MOI are in discussions on whether or not two female searchers are necessary at every polling center or whether to only have them in &high threat8 areas, such as Ninewa, Kirkuk, Anbar and Baghdad. IHEC,s hesitancy to have two female searchers stem mainly from resource constraints. ¶5. (C) The security plans for Ninewa, Diyala and Kirkuk were not released during the conference but are expected to be released in the near future to those specific provinces. LTG Ayden is known for keeping details close hold until he chooses to release them. Issues such as curfews, border closures, are good examples. They will likely not be announced until a few days prior to Election Day. The next Elections Security Conference will be held on February 11. -------------- USF-I SUPPORT -------------- ¶6. (C) According to the plan, U.S. Forces will provide support only if requested and in accordance with the Security Agreement. USF-I has been asked to provide security barrier material for some polling centers and on Election Day will be providing medevac support and some support to UN, U.S. and some international election observers. ¶7. (C) COMMENT: Overall, the release of the security plan was well received by the commanders in attendance and there did not appear to be any anxiety about its implementation. There was constructive discussion and LTG Ayden was adequately prepared to answer questions and offer guidance when requested. The plan itself is general in nature but offered enough details for preparations to begin and to give security forces a good idea of what is expected of them. Many of the commanders participated in the security plan for the January 2009 provincial elections and seemed comfortable with the upcoming task. The second conference on February 11 will give the commanders an opportunity to resolve any outstanding issues that were unclear or request assistance where needed. Post will continue to monitor and report on ongoing elections security preparations. END COMMENT. HILL