Iraq poll commission quits over 'interference': sources

BAGHDAD - Agence France Presse

All of Iraq's election commissioners presented their resignations to parliament Tuesday in a collective protest over political and judicial "interference" in upcoming legislative polls, sources told AFP.
      
The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) commissioners were in particular frustrated with judicial decisions to bar candidates from taking part in the April 30 elections, the sources said.
      
"We presented our resignations because of interference," an IHEC commissioner told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
      
An aide to another commissioner confirmed the news.
      
A diplomatic source said, meanwhile, the commissioners quit over judicial and political interference.
      
"They are very frustrated with this electoral judicial panel... excluding candidates, while IHEC has not excluded anybody," the source said on condition of anonymity.
      
"They are very unhappy with judicial interference, with political interference," the source said.
      
The resignations still have to be approved by parliament, the diplomatic source added.