Iraq’s most crucial parliamentary elections ,that may even see the country unified in sectarian terms, thanks to Sunnis declaring their full participation in these polls in contrast to the earlier 2005 elections boycotted by them, take place today the 7th march 2010 ,as a focus of attention of the entire world.Even with greater focus and concerns these elections will be watched by its neighbours Iran,Saudi Arabia,Syria and other countries in the Mid-East in order to judge as to along what lines the Mid East region may undergo its transformation.
The one-day Sunday poll takes place simultaneously in the country as well as 16 countries around the world where an estimated 1.4 million displaced Iraqis will exercise their mandate.About 19 million of Iraq’s estimated 28 million people are eligible to vote.However about 600,000 to 700,000 people took part in early voting on Thursday 4th March as they could not take part in Sunday poll .These included detainees,hospital patients and military and security personnel who are working on election day.
With 306 political entities registered to run for only 325 seats in the council of representatives, and more than 5000 candidates standing in the elections, no clear picture of any alliance, that may form the government can be forseen. But a Shiite taking the top job of Prime Minister appears certain, though they are not as united as in 2005 polls.Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki,the Shiite head of the ‘State of law Alliance’, a religious coalition with a secular outlook that includes several Sunni tribal sheikhs, says he is “certain” of his poll victory. His rivals include Iyad Allawi ,a Shiite former Prime Minister who heads Iraqiya list, a secular coalition which has a strong support in Sunni areas. Among others, Ahmed Chalabi a former deputy premier, Adel Abdel Mahdi,the country’s Shi’ite vice president and Baqer Jaber Salogh,the finance Minister are the main rivals who represent Iraq National Alliance (INA).
The extraordinary high number of about 5000 candidates in the election leaves a wide scope of horse-trading to form the governing coalition.
About 500 candidates both from Sunni and Shiite seats have been excluded from these polls after being accused of links to Saddam’s outlawed Baath party.Thus a row over their reinstatement,and concerns about the legitimacy of the unelected Justice and accountability Committee that barred them, has become the central issue of elections overshadowing the policies that the candidates were expected to stress.
The country may soon be seen engaged in serious national reconciliation efforts after the elections.More so since the US soldiers withdrew from urban areas last summer and all combat troops are due to pull out by September with only 50,000-strong training and advisory force left behind to leave by the end of 2011.
There are three major Kurdish parties :the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP),the patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Gorren (Movement for change).
The KDP and KUP are well established historical parties advocating Kurdish rights and together they form the Democratic Alliance of Kurdistan, as represented in the Iraqi Parliament. They also control the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Kurdish Regional Assembly and remain united in these elections.
The most positive note appears to be the enthusiasm among both Shi’ite and Sunni sects for participation in these elections. Sheikh Abdul Rahman al Jorani exhorted Iraqis “You must go to voting centres because it is your duty”. Likewise Ahmed al Safi a representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali Husseini al Sistani described these elections as a “huge vital issue” essential to ensuring that Iraqis can “draw their own future” .Thus Al-Qaeda threat to disrupt this election by “military means” may go unheeded.
There is a scope that Iraq elections may prove a turning point in delivering progressive outlook and enhanced relations in the countries of Mid-East.
The one-day Sunday poll takes place simultaneously in the country as well as 16 countries around the world where an estimated 1.4 million displaced Iraqis will exercise their mandate.About 19 million of Iraq’s estimated 28 million people are eligible to vote.However about 600,000 to 700,000 people took part in early voting on Thursday 4th March as they could not take part in Sunday poll .These included detainees,hospital patients and military and security personnel who are working on election day.
With 306 political entities registered to run for only 325 seats in the council of representatives, and more than 5000 candidates standing in the elections, no clear picture of any alliance, that may form the government can be forseen. But a Shiite taking the top job of Prime Minister appears certain, though they are not as united as in 2005 polls.Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki,the Shiite head of the ‘State of law Alliance’, a religious coalition with a secular outlook that includes several Sunni tribal sheikhs, says he is “certain” of his poll victory. His rivals include Iyad Allawi ,a Shiite former Prime Minister who heads Iraqiya list, a secular coalition which has a strong support in Sunni areas. Among others, Ahmed Chalabi a former deputy premier, Adel Abdel Mahdi,the country’s Shi’ite vice president and Baqer Jaber Salogh,the finance Minister are the main rivals who represent Iraq National Alliance (INA).
The extraordinary high number of about 5000 candidates in the election leaves a wide scope of horse-trading to form the governing coalition.
About 500 candidates both from Sunni and Shiite seats have been excluded from these polls after being accused of links to Saddam’s outlawed Baath party.Thus a row over their reinstatement,and concerns about the legitimacy of the unelected Justice and accountability Committee that barred them, has become the central issue of elections overshadowing the policies that the candidates were expected to stress.
The country may soon be seen engaged in serious national reconciliation efforts after the elections.More so since the US soldiers withdrew from urban areas last summer and all combat troops are due to pull out by September with only 50,000-strong training and advisory force left behind to leave by the end of 2011.
There are three major Kurdish parties :the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP),the patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Gorren (Movement for change).
The KDP and KUP are well established historical parties advocating Kurdish rights and together they form the Democratic Alliance of Kurdistan, as represented in the Iraqi Parliament. They also control the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Kurdish Regional Assembly and remain united in these elections.
The most positive note appears to be the enthusiasm among both Shi’ite and Sunni sects for participation in these elections. Sheikh Abdul Rahman al Jorani exhorted Iraqis “You must go to voting centres because it is your duty”. Likewise Ahmed al Safi a representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali Husseini al Sistani described these elections as a “huge vital issue” essential to ensuring that Iraqis can “draw their own future” .Thus Al-Qaeda threat to disrupt this election by “military means” may go unheeded.
There is a scope that Iraq elections may prove a turning point in delivering progressive outlook and enhanced relations in the countries of Mid-East.
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