Friends of Democracy - Iraq Election News - Reports

Mosul 02/07/2005

Iraq-Ninawah Province

By A Friend of Democracy

The IECI in Mosul organized a meeting Sunday afternoon at the G.C.C. Officials and newsmen were invited to discuss questions raised after Election Day. Mr Khaled Kamel Nizar, head of the IECI in Mosul, explained the position of the IECI in regard to accusations and questions concerning the citizens of Ninawa valley having missed voting because ballot boxes did not get there. He said the allegations that ballot boxes did not get to Baashica and Bartala were not true, since many electoral cards were received by the IECI from Baashica. The responsibility for elections not taking place in certain regions falls on the shoulders of the mayors and the officials of these regions, and the main cause of this problem is the insecurity.

Concerning violations in certain parts of Mosul, he said that the IECI in Baghdad sent a commission to Mosul to check on certain boxes and count them, and the boxes are now in Baghdad for a final decision.

Duhok 02/07/2005

Iraq- Province

By A Friend of Democracy

In the aftermath of the third explosion which occurred in Douhouk, in the vicinity of the road usually taken by the governor, police and border guards succeeded in capturing the two criminals Ahmad Chehab and Salam Mohamad, bedouins from the Seemeel region. They were carrying weapons and explosives. They confessed having links with a terrorist group in Mosul and said they were promised by this group to be sent out of Iraq once their terrorist operation done.

We went to the Douhouk court to get some information. Mr. Sami Ochana, the investigator, told us: Any person wanting to live in peace must condemn terror, but some crooked minds for whom life has no value try to stop Iraq from progressing. On Jnuary 29, one day before elections, terrorist elements exploded two devices in Duhuk, hoping to scare people and foil the process. This had the opposite effect, making people more eager to vote. Turnout reached 90 % in my center. He added: To live for your country is wonderful, but to die for it is more wonderful.

Ad Diwaniyah 02/07/2005

Iraq-Al Qadisiyah Province

By Mohamad

Barazani: Kurds will form their alliances in the Parliament on the basis of federalism.

Mr. Massoud Barazani, leader of the Democratic Party of Kurdistan, considered elections a turning point in the life of the Iraqis, a cornerstone to establish a state embracing democracy and pluralism, and a challenge to eradicate terror. From his headquarters in the city of Salaheddin, he told the newspaper “Al Zaman”: Our alliances with the others will be based on mutual understanding of the interest of Iraqis. He indicated that dealing with the problem of Kirkuk will be on the basis of article 58 of the Iraqi constitution, insisting on not abandoning federalism in addition to the need for the Sunni Arabs to play an important role.

In answer to a question on whether elections have fulfilled their goal, he said: Elections have put an end to dictatorship and placed the cornerstone for building a federal, democratic and pluralist Iraq. They have achieved a victory on terror by removing the psychological wall of fear. They will have a tremendous impact on the interests of the Iraqi people.

Ad Diwaniyah 02/07/2005

Iraq-Al Qadisiyah Province

By A Friend of Democracy

Following the announcement by the IECI in Ad Diwaniyah that primary results of the Qadisieh governorate council are published on the Internet, a leaflet was being sold on the market showing these results. 24697 electoral bulletin out of 389000 have been counted, which amounts to 77 % of registered voters numbering 484000 in Ad Diwaniyah, as declared by Mr. Saad Mazloum, director of the IECI in Ad Diwaniyah. Here are the results:

76287 The list of the “Mihrab” martyr

20177 The list of the political Shiite Council

11492 The list of the Islamic “Daawa” party

10820 The list of the Islamic “Fadila” party

10675 The list of the National Alliance movement

10036 The list of the Independent Party

8535 The list of the “loyalty to Iraq” Alliance

5799 The list of the “Chaaban Uprising” Association

5002 The list of the “Chaaban Uprising” Block

4552 The list of the Iraqi Communist party

Karbala 02/07/2005

Iraq-Karbala Province

By Ahmad

The counting is not yet completed but certain lists already know they have obtained a majority of votes. Some candidates are already receiving congratulations. In elections for the Karbala governorate council, primary results show the list of the Unified Iraqi Coalition no.169, represented by local lit no.320, ahead of all others. Mr. Akil Al Khazaali, head of the actual governorate council, said that this list has won a minimum of 19 seats in the coming council, a victory which is a big gain to the governorate, and an evidence of the good choice of the electorate because this list includes many competent individuals. He added: we spent a lot of efforts correcting the mistakes of the previous period. We are confident the coming period will see a lot of achievements in the field of public services, like building schools and roads and reconstructing infrastructures. We will also try to solve the fuel and power crises and give Karbala a decent look, and deal with the sewage system and drinking water in addition to ensuring security and safety to all our citizens.

Mr. Aziz Al Yasiri, candidate of the Movement for aa Democratic Iraq, said : a great achievement took place through elections since most people cast their vote without any fear of terror. This alone is a victory for all. The winners must give an example in doing all they can to make the citizen forget 35 years of despotism and misery. Security and services must be provided, and no efforts spared to unite all Iraqis, reject fanaticism and fight unemployment.

Al Amara 02/07/2005

Iraq-Missan Province

By A Friend of Democracy

Units of the National Guard in Missan governorate confiscated a launching platform for Katioucha rockets set by a group of terrorists in a field in the district of Qalaat Saleh, 40 km. south of Amara, to target positions of National Guard and police and vital installations and inflict a large amount of human and material casualties. A spokesman for the National Guard said: our forces in coordination with police and security services, set a plan to control entry to major highways, specially highway 6 which runs from north to south for a distance of 280 km. in addition to searching in open and remote areas where platforms are likely to be placed.

A locally made noise bomb exploded late last night in front of the Zahraa center in Amara with minimal damage. Similar noise bombs were exploded over the last several nights in various parts of the city, to create fears and apprehensions among citizens. Missan police had set a daily curfew from 8 PM to 6 AM in large parts of the governorate, to ensure security in these areas.

Al Hilla 02/07/2005

Iraq-Babel Province

By Intissar

Election results are soon to be announced. The fuel and power crisis is casting its shadow on the governorate of Babel, and citizens are hoping for a final solution once results are published. Many people believe that this situation is created for political reasons, particularly because of the secrecy in publishing the names of the candidates and the absence of political programs. While many intellectuals share this view, responsible officials in local councils exchange accusations about confiscating the share of the citizens in fuel and selling it. Mr. Khazaal Rachid, manager of the propane gas plant in Hilla, is accused of distributing 2000 jars out of 12000 to citizens, selling the rest to a local contractor. For the last two weeks, the lines at the gas stations have become smaller. The 20 liter container had soared to 18 thousand dinars on the black market.

With preliminary results coming out, political formations which failed to obtain a high number of votes are analyzing the causes of their failure, imputing it to weak advertising and information, lack of scientific methods and incompetence. Some formations blamed what they call the “blessing” of certain lists by Mr. Sistani who recommended in his declarations electing a special list without appearing on television to state his support to it. The fact that he did not publicly deny supporting any particular list gave the impression that he supported the Unified Iraqi Coalition list. Some people considered his refusal to meet the citizens a political trick to keep his intentions obscure.

Al Hilla 02/06/2005

Iraq-Babel Province

By Intisar

The talk of the street is still about elections. Citizens are still looking at posters and signboards in the streets of the city praising candidates and criticizing others. The general feeling was that it was a free practice in all honesty and friendship.

Those who don’t agree with these findings are the newsmen. In meetings with intellectuals and writers, they criticized the measures which prevented their colleagues from voting, in spite of having badges from the IECI, and especially local newsmen, for reasons a policeman can’t understand because he doesn't appreciate the importance of the media.

Ad Diwaniyah 02/06/2005

Iraq-Al Qadisiyah Province

By Mouhammad

Citizens of Ad Diwaniyah are anxiously awaiting the formation of the new government to know who will be their new leaders. During our stroll in the city, we asked citizens to give their opinions on a federal system of government. They are all afraid of it, fearing they will lead to the partition of Iraq as they have seen that on Arab satellite televisions. But when we asked them about the administrative federalism, a majority of them were for it. Mr. Sattar Hussein Al Omar, 65, says: it is a good thing because it guarantees the rights of everyone and doesn't let anybody confiscate the opinions of others. Mr. Tahseen Najeh Al Omar, 37, thinks federalism is a good thing but the right man has to be placed in the right place. Mr. Qaissar Fahem Al Omar, 33, had a different opinion: I am afraid that federalism will lead to the partition of Iraq. I disagree with all who call for it whether they are Shiites or Kurds. As for administrative federalism, there is no problem in its application. Mr. Mouhannad Zaghir Al Omar, 21, rejects all kind of federalism because, as he says, responsible people in the governorate don’t have enough competence. Any formality that can be accomplished in Baghdad in hours will probably take days here.

On the other hand, the price of gasoline in Ad Diwaniyah went up again, when a gas station was closed for repairs. Instead of having more outlets to facilitate distribution of gas, the closure of this station made things worse. The 20 liters container of gas was selling for 14 thousand dinars today.

Erbil 02/06/2005

Iraq-Erbil Province

By Basman

Massoud Al Barazani in a press conference: we nominate Mr Jalal Talabani to represent the Kurds in one of the two leading positions in the next government. Mr Jalal Talabani, president of the Kurdistani National Union said at the end of a meeting with Mr Massoud Barazani, leader of the Democratic Kurdistani Party in the resort of Salah El Din, 25 KM north of Erbil, and in the presence of Mr Barham Saleh, the deputy prime minister,: I am putting up my candidacy on the Democratic Kurdish list for one of the two leading positions.

Mr Barazani then said: we nominate Mr Talabani to the represent the Kurds in one of the two leading positions in the next government, which are the presidency of the state and the prime ministry. He added: returning Kirkuk to the Kurdistan region is a matter of crucial importance in any coalition we make with any political Iraqi force. The Turkish foreign minister Mr Abdallah Gol voiced Turley’s concern that the Iraqi Kurds take control of the oil city of Kirkuk, a matter which might create clashes between different ethnic groups living in the city.