Democracy News

Iraqi Parliamentary Election Praised As A Step Towards Progress Despite Election Day Violence
March 9, 2010
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly

On March 7, despite various bomb attacks throughout the country, Iraqis went to the polls to vote for new members of parliament.  With more than 6,000 candidates competing in the election, BBC News writes that it is projected that no one party will be able to claim complete control of the government, meaning that the assembly of a coalition government will likely take place.  This was Iraq’s second national election since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime.  Initial results from the election are not expected to be released sooner than March 11.  Final official results are expected to be released at the end of March.  It is reported that 36 people died during the election day violence. 

According to Voice of America (VOA), the election had a high voter turnout among the county’s minority Sunni population.  Prior to the vote, many Sunni candidates were banned from running in the election because of alleged ties to Hussein’s former Baath party.  In the 2005 parliamentary election, many Sunnis boycotted.  Overall, it was reported that approximately 62 percent of the country’s 19 million eligible voters participated in the election.  In December 2005, it was reported that 75 percent of the eligible population voted.  The decrease in voter turnout is being attributed to voter intimidation and new voter registration guidelines.

According to early tabulations, the Associated Press reports that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's State of Law Coalition is expected to take a lead in the election.  If al-Maliki's party does take a lead in the election, it could indicate a shift away from religious influenced parties.  The shift towards political parties that endorse nationalism over religious influence could also signal a move towards unity in the country that is plagued by deep political and religious divisions.  The two other parties that are expected to come away with major coalition blocs are former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's Iraqiya alliance and the religious Shiite Iraqi National Alliance.  The Iraqiya alliance, which includes high-profile Sunni candidates, is a political rival of al-Maliki's State of Law Coalition. 

VOA also reports that the Iraqi election was praised by the United Nations Security Council for demonstrating a “peaceful, inclusive and democratic political process,” which is being viewed as a positive step towards establishing independence.  The United States is rescheduled to withdraw from Iraq at the end of 2011.   According to BBC News, US President Barack Obama stated: “Today's voting makes it clear that the future of Iraq belongs to the people of Iraq.”

Many Iraqi voters perceived the election to be free and fair, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reports.  Among voter demands were calls for security, the creation of new jobs, and reconstruction.  The International Election Monitors Institute, who sent a team to monitor these elections, reported that, "In the face of nearly 50 explosions in the city of Baghdad, Iraqis of all ages and political affiliations went to the polls to vote. Their commitment to shape the future of Iraq is truly inspirational," adding that Iraq's "Independent High Electoral Commission should be praised for its commitment to ballot integrity and a state of the art reporting network." Their full report may be read here.

Sources:

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - Iraqis Express Hope, Await Results After Parliamentary Vote

Voice of America - Iraq to Announce Initial Results for Parliamentary Election

BBC News - Iraq election turnout 62%, officials say Associated Press - Iraqi PM's coalition seen leading vote

For previous coverage of the ongoing situation in Iraq, please see: http://ccd21.org/news/mena/iraq_candidates_remain_banned.html