BAGHDAD, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- The United Nations said Friday Iraqi residents seeking refuge outside their country's borders will be able to vote in their homeland's elections.
The United Nations said in a release the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees will help coordinate refugees' participation in the March 7 elections through involvement with Iraqi authorities and host governments.
"As of December 2009, UNHCR had on its records some 300,000 Iraqis who are believed to still be present in the region -- including over 210,000 in Syria -- of whom close to 190,000 are of voting age," UNHCR representative Melissa Fleming said.
Fleming said the number of Iraqi refugees residing outside their country is likely higher than those reported figures as many of the refugees are not registered with the UNHCR.
The United Nations said its refugee agency will provide demographic data regarding those refugees who are registered and will inform those individuals they will be able to take part in next month's elections.
