Participation in National Parliamentary Elections

By: Baqi Barzani
  Virginia, USA.
   
  As the December's parliamentary elections in Iraq draws close, Kurdish officials are coming under mounting criticism for alleged bureaucratic fraud and corruption. Citizens have been concerned about the poor quality and quantity of public sector development outflow and dissatisfied with the pace of implementation of development initiatives in Kurdistan. There has been strong frustration in the general public, especially the poor, about the frail social relief and services by the representatives due to rampant scam and capacity constraints. The extent of the embezzlement of public funds at provincial and district levels is disputed. These qualms have resulted in pondering whether the upcoming elections stand for any value?
   
  It is rational to criticize the flaws and deficits of our democratic administration.  Like every other nation-state, some failures exist in our political structure. One ironic paradox of multipartyism and open political competition has been the individualization of politics. There are parties in term only, not substance. Political parties must be national channels based in political ideologies and economic philosophies. The two major parties have not yet been able to unite the administrations. They have not been gifted to mobilize and educate the Kurdish population for the election campaigns as required. Meaningful political and economic reforms will remain elusive unless Kurdistan’s traditional political class is exorcised from the panorama. This will require both a complete renewal and a broad expansion of the political elite.
   
  I see eye to eye with public opinion on the subjects of: a greater rule of law, anti-corruption mechanisms, respect for human rights, broad citizen participation in national development strategies, and strengthening of civil society organizations. One of the main characteristics of democracy involves the electoral system through which people choose their representatives and leaders, and thus give their consent to be governed and communicate their interests. Self-aggrandizement and personal interests cannot be allowed to trump the national interest. All these issues should be unraveled accordingly and dutifully but first we need to be enabled to achieve a self-ruled, peaceful and stable Kurdistan. These issues cannot be resolved in a chaotic or nagging mess. We have to be freed up with a margin to amend our disputes in due course. ….
   
  Currently, we are held in a very receptive phase in our history. We can openly observe that Iraq's volatile politics have been a struggle for power by religious, tribal and ideological factions. The Shiite opposition is insisting its share of power in any post-Saddam Iraq match its 65 percent share of the population in the country of 28 million. The Sunni Arabs, who dominated the government until Saddam Hussein was ousted as president, are fueling the insurgency. The Sunnis and Shiites have accused armed groups belonging to each other's sects of carrying out assassinations, bombings and abductions in advance of the Dec. 15 elections. Violence in Iraq is threatening to tear the country into pieces controlled by sectarian rivals, heightening the risk of a civil war that could draw in neighboring countries.
   
  On the other hand, both Sunnis and Shiite have forged strong alliances hostile to the minority Kurds and intent to hijack the future economy and authority of that country. They are making every effort to debar us from contribution in the strategic campaign. Our non-participation or abstention in this imminent national ballot vote will result in substantial scale of marginalization in the political ground. More than 200 political parties have registered for the scheduled national elections.
   
  The withdrawal of Kurdistan Islamic Union (Yakgertuy Islami) from the 730 Kurdistan Alliance list is another demoralizing setback. Most Islamists have voiced their full opposition to the concept of Kurdish nationalism and resisted tooth and nail the creation of a separate homeland for the Kurds. Some Islamic organizations in Kurdistan are still not ready to reform their movement in this scientific era of democracy and secularism. 
   
  Rumors swirl that a select group of Kurds is not willing to cast their ballots at all. This is part of the pessimistic propagandas instigated by the regional powers to debilitate our harmony, self-discipline and penchant for independence.  The enemies of Kurds and Kurdistan resent acknowledging our sovereignty, cultural advancement and economic prosperity. They will not refuse to do anything possible to wrap up the elections opposed to our national interests. Participation in the Election will not only spread out our values but also boost the potentials for independence. Independence should be our definitive objective and election is the steppingstone for a free, fair and legitimate self-government.
   
  The dynamic participation by every patriotic Kurd will be judged as our concrete commitment to political pluralism, respect for social co-existence and demonstrate our solid resolves for independence. Our loyal ballots are cast for all-purpose and national interests of our masses in all parts of Kurdistan rather than an individual political party or organization.  Kurdistan is a peaceful, united, stable, well-integrated nation into international community, and a full partner in the global war on terrorism. The future of Kurdistan rests squarely in the hands of Kurdish electorates and their role in the ballot vote.
   
  Contrary to the Bush administration's hopes, elections themselves will not solve Iraq's problems. It is true that much has been accomplished in Iraq, including the negotiation of an interim constitution, restoration of full sovereignty, holding of free national elections, formation of an elected government, drafting of a permanent constitution, ratification of that constitution. Division of presidential, parliamentary and governmental authority, the issue of federalism, Kirkuk and national wealth are elusive among these ethnic and sectarian groups. The only method to expect a fully functioning democracy and to restore a permanent peace and stability in Iraq is fragmenting Iraq into 3 different entities. We are voting for our national independence not for Iraq.