Kurdistan independence referendum voting concludes

IRBIL, Sept 25 (KUNA) -- Polling stations across the Kurdistan autonomous regional have closed doors after a one-hour extension for voting on independence from Iraq, the electoral commission announced.
In a press statement, the Kurdistan's Independent High Elections and Referendum Commission stated that voting ended in the majority of Kurdistan areas at 7 p.m. local time after a one-hour extension and 6 p.m. local in Kirkuk city.
It added that the vote counting began immediately after the stations were closed and the initial results are expected to be declared within 24 hours. Earlier, the commission estimated that over 75 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballots.
A total of 5.6 million people are eligible to vote in about 2065 polling stations in Kurdistan and other Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Iraq according to the election commission. (end) sbr.ibi