Assyrian Democratic Movement
Iraq Provincial Elections Press Release
To the proud masses of our nation:
On February19th 2009 the “Independent” High Electoral Commission (HEC) issued the Iraqi provincial councils elections results, 19 days after the elections.
We would like to take this opportunity to extend our congratulations to the Iraqi people forprogressing the political process and implement democracy through a peaceful exchange of power,and the citizen’s determination to elect their council representatives in all levels of the government. The elections most renowned feature was the willingness of the government to provide security,stability and commanding rule of law for citizens to participate in such a national ceremony.What was gathered in this election was the underperformance of the provincial HEC offices.
These offices were assembled on the bases of political compromises by the parliament dominant parties and not on professional criteria bases, which in turn reflected negatively in their level of performance.
Whether it was intentionally or not, these shortfalls resulted in vanishing tens of thousands of eligible voters names from the voters registries in every province; in addition, the poling stations were deliberately fragmented and placed away from residential areas. Moreover, the profound injustice to our nations’ displaced population was depriving them from exercising their right to vote in Duhok and Nineveh; for the reasons that the “polling stations ran out of voting cards”.
Some officials of the HEC offices where very bias when dealing with their constituents ignoring violations committed by the dominant parties, consequently, the Erbil and Duhok results were the deciding factor in electing our reprehensive in Baghdad (Not from the Rafidain slate) in spite of the HEC declaring that the Rafidan List has won in Baghdad gaining 45% of the electorate votes. We are appealing to the Iraqi parliament to reconsider the composition of the provincial HEC offices to ensure neutrality, transparency, experience and professionalism; to avoid misshapes of the electorate registry forms at election centers. Consequently, there has been confusion between the HEC and the Ministry of Commerce (the provider of the citizen ration cards) resulted in failing to establish accurate voter’s registries and left no one to resume responsibility.
On the other hand the Assyrian Democratic Movement has sought to secure reserved seats (QUOTA) for our people and other minorities in these elections, ensuring minorities’ presence and fair representation in these councils, demanding respect for people’s free will to elect their representatives. But what becomes obvious was the elimination of the peoples’ will. Apparently,
legal violations were committed by Ishtar slate that is supported by the KRG governmental parties. This slate abused its authority by using humanitarian public aid funds to pay for votes and political campaign in advancing a political agenda. Church guards were converted to political party militias.
The Ishtar slate used clergyman and church forums for their campaign. Other tactics used were threats, intimidations and blackmail against immigrants and displaced people. Hinting, jobs termination, losing their earnings and shelters. All the above are violations of the Iraqi elections law.
The Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa) had exercised its rights by submitting an official compliant to the High Electoral Commission (HEC) to correct these violations. However, the High Electoral did not take these complaints into consideration. The HEC lack of action was expected ever since its establishment and the exclusion of our representative from the board of directors for unknown reasons. The ADM was forced at the time to file a lawsuit at the Federal Constitutional Court against the leadership of the Iraqi parliament for violating the HEC law. Eighteen months later the court ruled in our favor for the right of our representative to be in the HEC. The ruling places the Iraqi parliament leadership under a greater responsibility to ensure our representation in the HEC. We will continue to pursue the implementation of this ruling through the authorized channels.
Finally, we value the Rafidain slate supporters, and we promise to continue the struggle to achieve their free will and the legitimate rights in our homeland. Pledging to free our people from the political agendas that contradict our national interests and we will confront interventions that do not promote harmony amongst brothers. We condemn any political policies designed to humiliate, frustrate and enslaves our people.
The Political Bureau
Assyrian Democratic Movement
Baghdad/ Iraq
February 20th, 2009
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