From MEMRI:
Iraqi Candidates Distribute Electric Heaters, Blankets To Poor To Buy Votes
Muhand Na'im, head of the Ein Al-Iraq ("Eyes of Iraq") network which monitors the elections, has complained to the Elections Commission that parliamentary candidates are distributing electric heaters and blankets, or offering direct financial support, to poor people to encourage them to vote for them.
Clothing items are also being distributed to high school students where the donor is a candidate in the school district.
Similar practices were common in the 2005 elections. Candidates have paid as much $100 for a vote [usually, the recipient of the "donation" is asked to swear on the Koran that he would vote for a particular candidate, but there is nothing prevent a recipient from swearing on the Koran multiple times if money is made available by other candidates as well.]
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