Change has a lot going on now after the elections. But it seems as if the Bahdinan has been left out in the equation. I wish that those who care about the Bahdinan put pressure on Gorran leadership to remember to include us too.
Gorran need to actively engage in a long-term commitment to the Bahdinan area and allocate resources, both human and financial. We need to work close to the people. But we also need to understand that to achieve progress in this area may take a long time. It is a special area, with special people, in a very special situation.
In Bahdinan, the KDP controls everything. It will be very difficult to break their firm grip on people. People are in the hands of the KDP just to get by in their daily lives.
The KDP use their party membership as a mean to control every aspect in life. If you are going to apply for a job, you need to go to the KDP and get a written affidavit of your membership to go with your application. Without being a KDP member you cannot get an employment, you cannot keep your job, you cannot start or keep a business, your children will not make progress in school, you cannot put food on your table... If you want to become a member of another political party, you will get sacked and your food-for-oil card will be taken away from you.
The KDP have in the Zakho area 142 offices. The rexsten, KDP party workers, see eveyone and hear everything. News travel faster between the rexsten than through TV and radio... The rexsten are on a constant watch on people and immediately intervene if they see anything that goes against being a lojal KDP member.
This is why Gorran need to have a long-term plan on how we shall help people out of this situation. The first step is to show the Bahdinan people that we are here to stay and that we are also in the Bahdinan to make a change.
August 19, 2009
August 11, 2009
The attacks on Gorran offices
On Sunday after the elections there were celebrations on the streets. The KDP/PUK used this as an opportunity to attack Gorran offices. They afterwards said that it was just supporters out celebrating and shots that were fired were just Taqay Xoshi, celebratory gunfiring. If these were not planned attacks, how come the same happened at the same time in Duhok, Erbil, and Sulaymaniya? They also said it was civilians shooting - civilians with AK47's?
August 10, 2009
Independent observers report from elections
I am posting a report from independent observers that monitored the Kurdish elections. The report gives crystal clear information of the foul play that occurred during the elections and of the IHEC not being independent. It is also clear that observers were few in Erbil governate, and in Duhok governate they were absent.
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By: The Independent Network for Observing the Parliament and Presidency Elections in the Kurdistan Region: 25-7-2009
The network includes the following Organisations:
KIE - Kurdistan Institute for Elections
DHRD - Democracy and Human Rights Development Centre .
CSI -Civil Society Initiative
WOLA -Women's Law Assistant
On 25th of July 2009, the elections for the Kurdistan parliament and presidency took place in the 3 governorates of the Kurdistan region, Duhok, Sulaymaniya and Erbil. 78% of voters participated in this election.
The Independent Network for Observing the Elections, consists out of four NGOs mentioned above. With the help of 902 monitors, the Network observed the elections during the three stages; a) renewal of the records of voters, b) the election campaign and propaganda activities, and c) the general election’s day itself.
In all three stages the monitors have recorded many breaches by the different parties that participated in the elections. Some of the irregularities are noted below:
1) The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC)
The IHEC in Iraq is one of the important organisers and regulators of the election process. If there are any flaws with the IHEC, this could influence and affect the whole of the election process.
The Independent Network therefore has focussed on the functioning of the IHEC. Underneath a listing of findings and recommendations:
a) The two mobile numbers, which were allocated by the commission for easy communications, were not working properly, in fact, the numbers were inactive during most of the election period.
B) Most of the commission staff showed a lack of information and knowledge in some election stations in order to perform good quality and effective monitoring, and to provide supervision during the process. It was clear that more training would be needed for future election events.
C) Some of the organisers and directors of different election stations were not independent. It was very clear to the observers that they were under the influence of a political party. Some of them they were found to be in a better relationship with the political party than the election commission. It was abundantly clear that this assisted these officials with falsification and illegal activities. Due to these activities there were many illegal votes which will influenced the results of the elections. As an example, in some of the election stations, party members were allowed to observe inside the station, without proper permissions, thereby influencing the voters. This happened especially in Erbil City.
D) The voting station’s staff did not make sure about some of the names of voters, and allowed some to vote without their names being recorded in the station’s voters list.
E) The special elections closed at 6pm and the general election at 7pm. The transport of some of the boxes however, did take place as late as 12pm. Due to a lack of transport vehicles. The budget for the elections however was to the amount of 37 Million US$ Dollars, making the excuse as to the lack of vehicles due to budget shortages doubtful. The extra time in closed voting stations however, could have been used for illegal activities.
F) There was centralism from the commission to the election stations. It was noted that the supervisors of election stations used the form number 111 especially often after 3pm.
G) The elections were prolonged with one hour during the general elections’ day, without presenting proper evidence for the need of this extra hour, thereby putting the independency of the election commission under questioning.
H) While announcing the results, the president of commission mentioned in advance the election results that the elections went ok and there were no reported problems. Again, an event as this adds questions to the independency of the commission. Added to this that he also made a comment that the IHEC had to re-count 300 boxes, how could he have made such a positive comment if no checking had been carried out?
2) Stages of the Election Process:
First: the length of time to compile the electoral lists:
The limited time span of this stage was clear in both the special and general elections. Many of the voters were not recorded and shifting of the names, which were listed under the form 111 to new stations, were not allowed. These are big shortages of the IHEC in Iraq as over the last years this has happened several times, without real solution being found. Problems with registrations happened in both the 2005 elections, and later in the governor’s elections in the 14 Iraqi governorates on 31st of January 2009.
Second: The Election Campaign:
1) The election propaganda started before the scheduled date. Some parties started their meetings and the publishing of mottos and logos in publications in advance of the permitted date.
2) Government positions were used in the election propaganda.
3) “Vote buying” took place as well as pressurising people to change their minds.
4) Some parties used government buildings and departments for the display of election propaganda, e.g. posters and banners.
Third: A special day for voting, July 23, 2009
1- Publication of names of special voters in the recorded list of voters.
2- There were threats and pressure on voters in order for them to change their minds.
3- Some members of the police or security forces were not able to vote as their names were not recorded in the voters’ list.
4- Some government officials were in the voting stations without valid reasons. It was obvious they weren’t there to take part in the voting.
Third: General Voting Day, July 25, 2009
The independent Network only observed the election in the two cities of Sulaymaniya and Erbil, with its main focus on Sulaymaniya, as there was immense competition between different parties. This why from the total of 902 observers, 877 observed the election activities in Sulaymaniya city and only 25 observers in Erbil, mainly in the city centre.
The general overview from the observation notes, which we received from Sulaymaniya city, tells us that no serious falsifications took place, which influenced the result of the election. The few cases that were recorded in Sulaymaniya were not organised! However, from the reports, which were received from our observers in Erbil city, it clearly shows organised falsification that definitely influenced the result of the election.
3) Sulaymaniya City:
From a total of 887 forms, which the Network received back from Sulaymaniya city, the following breaches were noted:
1- Voting station officials allowed adding of names that were not recorded in the electoral list, thru the use of form (111). This made it possible for voters to vote twice. The Network strongly recommends that the IHEC needs to be very carefully checking the boxes that might contain this kind of double votes, to assure if there were falsifications.
2- The use of the form (111) was a seriously doubted by the observers, as the forms, which were filled out, did not contain important changes especially with regard to the changing of names from one station to another. This allowed the voter to register and place a vote in two stations. The commission needs to carefully check the boxes that contain this kind of fraudulent votes to assure whether or not falsification has taken place.
3- The lack of experience and training by the observers of civil society NGOs. Especially not knowing details about their duty's and rights, made it difficult for the monitoring staff to interfere in the process and the activities of the voting station’s staff. More training of Network and IHEC staff is strongly recommended and needed.
4) Erbil City:
The Network’s 25 observers recorded many breaches and fraudulent activities during the voting. Several of these are listed underneath:
1- During the day of voting, Kurdistani list members, only 30 meters away from the station, carried out propaganda activities. This is against the law. These kind of activities happened on both election days (special- and general election).
2- Several individuals entered polling stations with placards and photos of the Kurdistani list and their candidate for the presidency.
3- Some members of the police-force and party members were moving around inside the voting stations, carrying their weapons, but official permissions. This intimidated the voters and spread fear among them.
4- There were some posters for the kurdistani list and their candidate for presidency inside the election stations.
5- The director(s) of the voting stations voted by him or herself to help the illiterate people, but without asking for their opinion as to whom they would want to vote.
6- Some army officials entered with many armed guards into the voting stations after 6pm. However, members of the army voted during the special election day (July 23); there was no reason for the military staff to enter the buildings in such an intimidating way.
7- After 6pm, several voting station guards made threats to voters, telling people to vote for the Kurdistani list.
8- Some of the organisers and station directors were making clear propaganda for the kurdistani list.
9- Double voting was carried out by supporters from the Kurdistani list with full support from the directors of the stations and party officials.
10- Some “Moqtar”, district supervisor/responsible, entered the voting stations without permission or license from the IHEC commission and asked voters to vote for the Kurdistani list.
11- Threats were made against some Commission members, and pressurised to allow people to place votes, who were not on the voters registration list.
12- Several non-official people entered the room during the counting of the votes and stayed their for some time, clearly trying to influence the counting.
13- Names were added to the registration list; the excuse was made that others mistakenly signed for them, and they needed to place their own votes.
This is a post-election report, based on 902 forms that were received from the Network’s monitors. Each form consisted out of 65 questions, and was prepared by the observers before the election events took place. At a later date a detailed reported will be compiled and published containing all specifics from the questionnaires.
July 31, 2009: Independent Network for Observing the Parliament and Presidency Election.
August 9, 2009
Program for Change
Now that 25% of the Kurdish people have given us the right to represent them in parliament, they want to know how Gorran is going to proceed from here.
In Gorran head quarter, conferences, meetings and discussions are held every minute since the election. We are planning that Gorran shall continue to work on the basis of a modern and active model instead of the party system that political work is usually based on.
Gorran is not a political party in the old meaning of the word. The word "party" has in Kurdistan taken the meaning of cheating, thieving and injustice. We will not form a politicical party with party members and hierarchy of a politburo. We are an organisation, an association of people that work for the same goal. We will work according to our program which will be based on the political platform we presented for the elections.
We will work actively among people, with the people. Our offices will be open for anyone. We want people to see us who work for Gorran as people working for the program - for the benefit of the people, not as party members working for a party and for the benefit of party members only. When people go to vote in the next election, they will vote for the program, not for a party.
We called ourselves Listi Gorran, the Change List, for the elections, and now we are in fact lacking a name for our organisation. We still are the Gorran, we still work for change in our program, so maybe we will call the organisation Program for Change.
In Gorran head quarter, conferences, meetings and discussions are held every minute since the election. We are planning that Gorran shall continue to work on the basis of a modern and active model instead of the party system that political work is usually based on.
Gorran is not a political party in the old meaning of the word. The word "party" has in Kurdistan taken the meaning of cheating, thieving and injustice. We will not form a politicical party with party members and hierarchy of a politburo. We are an organisation, an association of people that work for the same goal. We will work according to our program which will be based on the political platform we presented for the elections.
We will work actively among people, with the people. Our offices will be open for anyone. We want people to see us who work for Gorran as people working for the program - for the benefit of the people, not as party members working for a party and for the benefit of party members only. When people go to vote in the next election, they will vote for the program, not for a party.
We called ourselves Listi Gorran, the Change List, for the elections, and now we are in fact lacking a name for our organisation. We still are the Gorran, we still work for change in our program, so maybe we will call the organisation Program for Change.
Political Platform of the Change List
The Change List is a political entity that consists of a group of people sharing a common political agenda, and through fair competition for power and free democratic elections, seeking the trust of the people and to represent them in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region’s Parliament as well as in other representative bodies throughout Iraq and Kurdistan region, with the aim of implementing the List’s agenda through government institutions. The objectives of the entity are summarised in the following themes:
On the political and legal arena:
• Redraft the Kurdistan Region’s draft constitution that through decentralised and devolved powers ensures more rights and safeguard freedoms within the framework of a parliamentary democracy;
• Support the rule of law and enhance the principle of separation of the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary authorities while consolidating the independence of the judiciary;
• Activate the accountability role of Parliament to ensure the effective monitoring of government performance and withdrawing confidence from government officials when necessary;
• Defining the influence of the political parties and limiting their activities as political organizations that commands no militias, private secret services or business monopolies; recognising that parties have the duty to form cabinets and execute their programs, but they have no right to monopolise public funds, abuse public offices for party political gains, or resort to bribery and corruption, nor do they have a right to intimidate or discriminate against the citizens;
• Enhance the political, administrative and community roles of women and the youth in all spheres of life;
• Enhance and reform the Security Organisations in a direction that serves the rule of law and prevents violations of Human Rights and refrain from partisanship and narrow political or local bias;
• Demarcate the geographical boundaries of the Kurdistan Region, define the authorities that lies between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, and respect the supreme authorities of the federal government, resolve the outstanding issues between the two sides concerning the rights of Kurdish people and the status of the disputed territories with regard to the historic facts and according to the relevant articles of the Iraqi Constitution;
• Combat fanaticism, terrorism and extremism, and outlaw any discrimination against citizens on the basis of religion, ethnicity, ideology, gender, political affiliation or social standing.
On economic and administrative reforms:
• Ensuring the transparent disclosure of the Kurdistan Region’s budget by identifying the sources and details of the funds as well as the way funds are allocated to various sectors and provinces;
• Revitalize the government efficiency through streamlining government institutions and harnessing information technology to ensure more active administration;
• Salvage the economy and protect public wealth from abuse and corruption. Encouraging investment and improving productivity in the agricultural sector, enhancing the industrial base and animal husbandry;
• Draw up strategic plans to reform and modernize Education and Health Services;
• Hone plans for strategic construction projects in housing, electricity supplies, roads, railways, oil, gas, water, sewerage, dams and bridges;
On social justice and human development:
• Take action to address the crisis of poverty and unemployment within the society allocating 5% of the Region’s budget to this goal;
• Invest in the new generation to develop their physical, intellectual and technical abilities. Invest the sports sector and create job opportunities for young people in the private, public and voluntary sectors;
• Establish equitable healthcare and social security and pension systems for the population and citizens working in the private sector, as well as those affected by wars or by social, political, economic and health problems;
• Maintain a fair distribution in the reconstruction and development of Kurdistan provinces. Address the problem of inferior services in rural areas, residential compounds and remote areas, with prioritising the areas that sustain damage or contain natural wealth;
• Introduce reforms to rectify the injustices occurred in the Salary Scale, pensions, allowances and privileges. Setting up a maximum limit for the special privileges enjoyed by top government officials and their entourage, with the aim to establish greater social justice;
• Combat all forms of physical and psychological violence and discrimination against children, women, individuals with special needs, the elderly, the disabled and the marginalized segments of the community.
• Provide job opportunities and conductive work environment for business people, professionals, freelancers, workers, farmers and other productive segments of the community;
On civil, cultural and environmental domains:
• Support and encourage cultural, artistic and free media activities. Protect and restore ancient monuments and historical sites;
• Develop a culture of free, critical thinking and promote freedom of the media so as to ensure free access to information, unhindered by legal obstacles and unaffected by partisanship or political pressures.
• Protect civil society organizations, trade unions and non-governmental organizations from undue pressures;
• Protect the environment and promote the culture of environmental preservation to help tackling the risks of pollution in Kurdistan Region as well as global warming as a universal crisis;
• Protect natural forests, trees and wild life; and expand the green areas. Revitalize and modernize the tourist sector.
On the political and legal arena:
• Redraft the Kurdistan Region’s draft constitution that through decentralised and devolved powers ensures more rights and safeguard freedoms within the framework of a parliamentary democracy;
• Support the rule of law and enhance the principle of separation of the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary authorities while consolidating the independence of the judiciary;
• Activate the accountability role of Parliament to ensure the effective monitoring of government performance and withdrawing confidence from government officials when necessary;
• Defining the influence of the political parties and limiting their activities as political organizations that commands no militias, private secret services or business monopolies; recognising that parties have the duty to form cabinets and execute their programs, but they have no right to monopolise public funds, abuse public offices for party political gains, or resort to bribery and corruption, nor do they have a right to intimidate or discriminate against the citizens;
• Enhance the political, administrative and community roles of women and the youth in all spheres of life;
• Enhance and reform the Security Organisations in a direction that serves the rule of law and prevents violations of Human Rights and refrain from partisanship and narrow political or local bias;
• Demarcate the geographical boundaries of the Kurdistan Region, define the authorities that lies between the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, and respect the supreme authorities of the federal government, resolve the outstanding issues between the two sides concerning the rights of Kurdish people and the status of the disputed territories with regard to the historic facts and according to the relevant articles of the Iraqi Constitution;
• Combat fanaticism, terrorism and extremism, and outlaw any discrimination against citizens on the basis of religion, ethnicity, ideology, gender, political affiliation or social standing.
On economic and administrative reforms:
• Ensuring the transparent disclosure of the Kurdistan Region’s budget by identifying the sources and details of the funds as well as the way funds are allocated to various sectors and provinces;
• Revitalize the government efficiency through streamlining government institutions and harnessing information technology to ensure more active administration;
• Salvage the economy and protect public wealth from abuse and corruption. Encouraging investment and improving productivity in the agricultural sector, enhancing the industrial base and animal husbandry;
• Draw up strategic plans to reform and modernize Education and Health Services;
• Hone plans for strategic construction projects in housing, electricity supplies, roads, railways, oil, gas, water, sewerage, dams and bridges;
On social justice and human development:
• Take action to address the crisis of poverty and unemployment within the society allocating 5% of the Region’s budget to this goal;
• Invest in the new generation to develop their physical, intellectual and technical abilities. Invest the sports sector and create job opportunities for young people in the private, public and voluntary sectors;
• Establish equitable healthcare and social security and pension systems for the population and citizens working in the private sector, as well as those affected by wars or by social, political, economic and health problems;
• Maintain a fair distribution in the reconstruction and development of Kurdistan provinces. Address the problem of inferior services in rural areas, residential compounds and remote areas, with prioritising the areas that sustain damage or contain natural wealth;
• Introduce reforms to rectify the injustices occurred in the Salary Scale, pensions, allowances and privileges. Setting up a maximum limit for the special privileges enjoyed by top government officials and their entourage, with the aim to establish greater social justice;
• Combat all forms of physical and psychological violence and discrimination against children, women, individuals with special needs, the elderly, the disabled and the marginalized segments of the community.
• Provide job opportunities and conductive work environment for business people, professionals, freelancers, workers, farmers and other productive segments of the community;
On civil, cultural and environmental domains:
• Support and encourage cultural, artistic and free media activities. Protect and restore ancient monuments and historical sites;
• Develop a culture of free, critical thinking and promote freedom of the media so as to ensure free access to information, unhindered by legal obstacles and unaffected by partisanship or political pressures.
• Protect civil society organizations, trade unions and non-governmental organizations from undue pressures;
• Protect the environment and promote the culture of environmental preservation to help tackling the risks of pollution in Kurdistan Region as well as global warming as a universal crisis;
• Protect natural forests, trees and wild life; and expand the green areas. Revitalize and modernize the tourist sector.
Forming parliament
On Friday the IHEC (Independent High Electoral Commision of Iraq) announced the final results of the election: Kurdistani List, KDP/PUK, 59 seats in parliament, Change List, Gorran, 25 seats, Service and Reform List 13 seats, The Islamic Movement 2 seats and Freedom and Social Justice 1 seat.
The IHEC also stated that ballots from 40 polling stations were discarded due to irregularities.
The precidency election was won by Massoud Barzani 69.57% followed by Kamal Mirawdeli 25.32%.
If the participating lists accept the results the parliament will open for its first session within the next 10 days. The lists also have to decide whether they will join the winning Kurdistani List in forming the government or stay in opposition. The KDP and PUK have made it clear that they will not accept criticism from parties that join the government.
The Change List will stay in opposition and are hoping the 4PartyList to join us. That would jointly make us an opposition that has the possibility to prevent the government from passing important laws that demand acceptance from 2/3 of the parliament, in case we object to their propositions.
The IHEC also stated that ballots from 40 polling stations were discarded due to irregularities.
The precidency election was won by Massoud Barzani 69.57% followed by Kamal Mirawdeli 25.32%.
If the participating lists accept the results the parliament will open for its first session within the next 10 days. The lists also have to decide whether they will join the winning Kurdistani List in forming the government or stay in opposition. The KDP and PUK have made it clear that they will not accept criticism from parties that join the government.
The Change List will stay in opposition and are hoping the 4PartyList to join us. That would jointly make us an opposition that has the possibility to prevent the government from passing important laws that demand acceptance from 2/3 of the parliament, in case we object to their propositions.
August 4, 2009
A week after the elections
The IHEC (Independent High Electoral Commision) states today that final election results will be announced Thursday next week. Obviously they have not yet investigated all the fraud complaints or decided what to do about them. We hope they will discard those ballots we have marked. Because we know that there were stuffed ballots on several of our polling stations. We also suspect they made votes to Change List invalid by marking double votes on them. Also our observers were not allowed to observe their sorting and counting the votes.
We hope the IHEC really take their commision seriously and do what they are supposed to do. How will we accept the results if they do not?
The Change List are now discussing plans and strategies to implement our program. We will take our opportunity as opposition in parliament to make the voice of our people heard, the voice of whom we represent, the voice of our voters.
We hope the IHEC really take their commision seriously and do what they are supposed to do. How will we accept the results if they do not?
The Change List are now discussing plans and strategies to implement our program. We will take our opportunity as opposition in parliament to make the voice of our people heard, the voice of whom we represent, the voice of our voters.
IHEC gave false information on election monitoring
The IHEC (Independent High Electoral Commision) of Iraq falsely stated that the IRI (International Republican Institute) was monitoring the elections in Kurdistan.
The IRI immediately denied that was the case:
The IRI immediately denied that was the case:
For Immediate Release
July 24, 2009
Clarification on Media Reports Stating that IRI is Monitoring the Kurdistan Regional Elections
“There have been recent media reports that cite Hamdiya al-Husseini, the chairwoman of the Kurdish region's electoral commission, as saying that the International Republican Institute (IRI) will be sending international monitors to observe the Kurdistan Regional elections scheduled for Saturday, July 25.
“According to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observers and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers, which IRI endorses, an election observation mission is ‘the systematic, comprehensive and accurate gathering of information concerning the laws, processes and institutions related to the conduct of elections and other factors concerning the overall electoral environment; the impartial and professional analysis of such information; and the drawing of conclusions about the character of electoral processes based on the highest standards for accuracy of information and impartiality of analysis.’
“As such, IRI will not be monitoring the Kurdistan Regional elections. Rather, a small number of IRI staff will conduct a program assessment on Election Day of the Institute’s voter education and voter turnout programs.
“IRI will not be issuing any findings on the elections itself.”
August 2, 2009
Comment on KDP - where is the money?
- One of the readers left a comment on my previous post about KDP not using KRG money for the purposes they were allocated for.
- Pushdaree said...
- What KDP got to do with government affairs, monies allocated and given to government officials not KDP members and officials. If the KDP officials saved the treasury of the city by asking businesses to pay for the expenses that is a good thing. Businesses should have the civic duty to contribute to such expenses. So before starting to accuse others of embezzlement, ask city officials if the city has received the funding and whether it will use the saved monies for other purposes.
- May I pose a question for you, since you identify with the "change" list, how is it possible for a person that never held a real job nor inherited wealth to establish giant media company? The person I am referring to is the leader of your list. BTW I have no political affiliation in case you are wondering.
First of all. if you read my post, I am asking the questions before I accuse anyone. Secondly, I really wish that there were a difference between government officials and KDP members, but there is not. And I really wish that the government thought like you obviously think they do, and used the money as they are supposed to, for their people. I would have been proud of that government and been the first one to vote for them. Here in Zakho all city officials are KDP members. In fact you will not get any job at all if you are not a member. If you want to start a business you will have to give 51% of the money to the KDP. The KDP controls everything. Also, the businessmen did not pay for these things by their own free will. They were forced to by the KDP, and people did not know about this.
Instead of telling me that I am making unjust accusations why don't you ask the government to be transparent about where all the money goes. From 2003 to 2009, in six years the KRG have received 31 billion dollars from Iraq. If you are neutral, as you say you are, ask the people why they are lacking water, electricity, health care, medicins, schools etc. There are 1002 villages in Kurdistan without a school. In those schools that exist, a pupil gets 2 hours and 40 minutes of school time. In every class room there are 40 pupils. Where did all those bilions of dollars go?
About Nashirwan. Jalal Talabani gave him 6 million dollars to start the media company. Nashirwan, who had worked for years trying to change things from the inside saw his opportunity to do something. In a country where all media and all armed forces are controlled by the governing parties, this could mean a chance to make the voice of people heard. Ask Jalal Talabani where he took the money to give to Nashirwan? Jalal Talabani has himself said that he is glad they left PUK, "they were our main problem and our main headaches for years and years". Link to interview.
They have shared the 31 billion dollars between KDP and PUK and used it to make themselves and family members into millionaires. They own all large companies in Kurdistan and several companies in Europe and US. Did they all enherit money or have earned it themselves before they formed the government? The parties, KDP and PUK, are each given 30 million dollars a month. Is that not enough for them? Do they in addition need to take the money of the people? They need to separate the parties from the government. As it has been uptil now, there was no government, only the KDP/PUK governing Kurdistan.
If you are Kurd and you want to continue to support the Kurdish government, you should tell them that it is enough. In 1991 we were all happy to get rid of Saddam and saw a bright future for the Kurdish people. Instead we got civil war on who is going to get the power and money. And then they took all the power and money for themselves. And now people live in graver misery than they did under Saddam. The only ones that have made a bright future for themselves are the leaders of KDP and PUK. The families of our war martyrs have been given nothing.
I am proud over the people in Gorran that are trying to make a change. You should be proud too, that there are people in your country that think of, and feel solidarity with others than themselves.
KDP in Zakho - where is the money?
In Zakho, the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) has asked the businessmen to pay for the refreshments for the voters and the workers at the polling stations . This is for all of the polling stations. Most of them have had four businessmen that paid 280$-350$ each, but some of the richest have had to pay for a polling station on their own, 1100$-1400$. There was around 50-60 polling stations in Zakho.
We know the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) allocated money for this in all other cities. Did the KRG just forget to allocate money for Zakho? Or have the KDP just kept the money?
This is not the first time this has happened. After Newroz celebrations this year in Zakho, the businessmen were all called to the KDP headquarters and asked to pay for the fireworks that had been used during the celebrations. Every company in Zakho paid 1000$ dollars each for these.
The businessmen are not in the position to refuse to abide. They are afraid that it will affect their business. They all paid up.
Has the KRG been allocating money for these things? Is the KRG allocating money for the Zakho area that is not been used for the benefit of the people? Or are they just neglecting Zakho? Before I accuse the KDP for embezzlement I would like to have these questions answered.
If the KRG pays for these things - who is it that takes this money? I want to ask Dr. Rizgar, head of the KDP in Zakho this question.
We know the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) allocated money for this in all other cities. Did the KRG just forget to allocate money for Zakho? Or have the KDP just kept the money?
This is not the first time this has happened. After Newroz celebrations this year in Zakho, the businessmen were all called to the KDP headquarters and asked to pay for the fireworks that had been used during the celebrations. Every company in Zakho paid 1000$ dollars each for these.
The businessmen are not in the position to refuse to abide. They are afraid that it will affect their business. They all paid up.
Has the KRG been allocating money for these things? Is the KRG allocating money for the Zakho area that is not been used for the benefit of the people? Or are they just neglecting Zakho? Before I accuse the KDP for embezzlement I would like to have these questions answered.
If the KRG pays for these things - who is it that takes this money? I want to ask Dr. Rizgar, head of the KDP in Zakho this question.
August 1, 2009
Post-election discussions
I am now back in Zakho after being in Sulaymaniya this week after the election. Gorran, The Change List, have been busy the last couple of days in conferences discussing how to proceed now after the elections. We are discussing the parliament seats and our future work to bring about change in the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government and for the Kurdish people.
We are also discussing how to proceed with legal actions concerning the election fraud. We will not let this pass and have had our lawyers look into our options.
Furthermore, we are having talks with the 4PartyList (Sevice and Reform List) about forming a joint opposition in parliament. They can choose inclusion in government or staying in opposition. The governing parties, KDP/PUK, have made it clear that they will not tolerate any criticism of the government by joining parties.
We are also looking ahead to local elections within the upcoming Iraqi elections in about six months. These elections will have a more decisive influence on future developments of Gorran in the Behdinan area. In Zakho and Duhok we will work for making a difference, a change, for the Behdinan which have for too long been neglected by the KRG.
We are also discussing how to proceed with legal actions concerning the election fraud. We will not let this pass and have had our lawyers look into our options.
Furthermore, we are having talks with the 4PartyList (Sevice and Reform List) about forming a joint opposition in parliament. They can choose inclusion in government or staying in opposition. The governing parties, KDP/PUK, have made it clear that they will not tolerate any criticism of the government by joining parties.
We are also looking ahead to local elections within the upcoming Iraqi elections in about six months. These elections will have a more decisive influence on future developments of Gorran in the Behdinan area. In Zakho and Duhok we will work for making a difference, a change, for the Behdinan which have for too long been neglected by the KRG.
July 30, 2009
The Kurdish Election - a Triumph for Gorran
If anyone has won these elections, it is Gorran - the Change List. We are not an established political party, but an assembly of independent and neutral people who saw the need for change for the people of Kurdistan. We are a political organisation only two months old. And still we managed to get 25% of the votes in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Even though the governing parties have tried to hinder us in any way they could, we cracked their ruling power. We came through even though they have prevented us from campaigning by not letting us set up offices, hold meetings, set up flags and posters, or use media freely. Even though they have harassed, threatened, cheated, bribed, and used violence against us, we now are in the parliament to prevent any further misuse of power by the KDP and PUK.
Because we have the support of our people. These crimes against us and terrorism by the KDP/PUK, did not pass unnoticed by the people. If we had been given a fair, democratic and free election we would have won the bigger part of the votes. But instead of being the number one, we are the second biggest party in parliament. That is still a remarkable triumph for Gorran!
We will continue to fight for the democratic rights of our people and will take our complaints to court all the way to the Supreme Court of Iraq. We will do this even though we do not expect fair trials or independent judges. We will not let us be intimidated because we know we are doing the right thing.
I am asking all Gorran supporters to be happy for Gorran's achievement and to be proud over the people that relentlessly kept on working for your rights in Erbil and Dohuk even though their lives were at risk.
Even though the governing parties have tried to hinder us in any way they could, we cracked their ruling power. We came through even though they have prevented us from campaigning by not letting us set up offices, hold meetings, set up flags and posters, or use media freely. Even though they have harassed, threatened, cheated, bribed, and used violence against us, we now are in the parliament to prevent any further misuse of power by the KDP and PUK.
Because we have the support of our people. These crimes against us and terrorism by the KDP/PUK, did not pass unnoticed by the people. If we had been given a fair, democratic and free election we would have won the bigger part of the votes. But instead of being the number one, we are the second biggest party in parliament. That is still a remarkable triumph for Gorran!
We will continue to fight for the democratic rights of our people and will take our complaints to court all the way to the Supreme Court of Iraq. We will do this even though we do not expect fair trials or independent judges. We will not let us be intimidated because we know we are doing the right thing.
I am asking all Gorran supporters to be happy for Gorran's achievement and to be proud over the people that relentlessly kept on working for your rights in Erbil and Dohuk even though their lives were at risk.
July 29, 2009
Mixed feelings about Kurdish election
Tonight after final results being announced, I was walking the streets of Sulaymaniya. My heart was filled with joy when I saw Gorran supporters celebrating side by side with Kurdistani List supporters and no conflicts are anywhere to be seen. People in Sulaymaniya are experiencing democracy and freedom for the first time and they are happy. They respect the opinion of each other and understand that we are going to work together as brothers for the people of Kurdistan.
On the other side my heart hurts for the Behdinan. There the KDP celebrate by attacking the opposition parties. Even last night the offices of Gorran and 4partylist were attacked by armed KDP supporters though they had all left two days ago in fear for their lives. The governing parties, the KDP and PUK, have committed a crime against our people in Duhok governate, Behdinan. They have systematically cheated our people of their democratic rights. They have used violence, harrased, threatened, intimidated, bribed, cheated, their own people. Why? When are they going to enjoy the same freedom as their brothers in Sulaymaniya?
The result of the election is unfair due to foul play. The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) have broken everyone of their own rules in Behdinan. Yet, the head of IHEC Farij al-Haidari in his speech today talks about a successful, democratic and transparent election. The IHEC saw the fraud, participated in it, and disregarded our complaints.
We in the Behdinan area will set our hope to our brothers in the other provinces that they will include us in their work building our society and in their achieving a democratic and free Kurdistan.
Idris Sheranshi
On the other side my heart hurts for the Behdinan. There the KDP celebrate by attacking the opposition parties. Even last night the offices of Gorran and 4partylist were attacked by armed KDP supporters though they had all left two days ago in fear for their lives. The governing parties, the KDP and PUK, have committed a crime against our people in Duhok governate, Behdinan. They have systematically cheated our people of their democratic rights. They have used violence, harrased, threatened, intimidated, bribed, cheated, their own people. Why? When are they going to enjoy the same freedom as their brothers in Sulaymaniya?
The result of the election is unfair due to foul play. The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) have broken everyone of their own rules in Behdinan. Yet, the head of IHEC Farij al-Haidari in his speech today talks about a successful, democratic and transparent election. The IHEC saw the fraud, participated in it, and disregarded our complaints.
We in the Behdinan area will set our hope to our brothers in the other provinces that they will include us in their work building our society and in their achieving a democratic and free Kurdistan.
Idris Sheranshi
IHEC announcing results
The head of the Independent High Electoral Commision of Iraq (IHEC), Farij Al-Haidari announced the results of the Kurdish election, speaking in arabic, in a press conference in Erbil at 4.30 PM today.
The presidential election: Massoud Barzani 69.7%, Dr Kamal Mirawdeli 25.3%, Dr. Halo Ibrahim Ahmad 3.49%, Ahmed Mohammed Rasul 1.4%, Hussein Germiani 0.59%.
According to 98% of the votes: Kurdistani List 57.34%, Change List (Gorran) 23.75%, Service and Reform List (4PartyList) 12.8%, Islamic Movement of Kurdistan 1.45%, Turkmen List 0.99% and Communists 0.82%.
Al-Haidari said that he wanted to congratulate the people of Kurdistan for executing a successful and democratic election which was carried out according to the rules of the IHEC. The results of the election therefore show the choice ot the Kurdish people.
Al-Haidari also said that 300 polling stations out of 5300 will be investigated due to the complaints of the opposition, but that will not affect the number of the Parliament seats. The opposition that complained about IHEC not being neutral have the possibility to take their complaints to the international court.
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Please also read Presidential candidate Dr. Kamal Mirawdelis "Open letter to President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Gordon Brown" published today. Klick this link.
The presidential election: Massoud Barzani 69.7%, Dr Kamal Mirawdeli 25.3%, Dr. Halo Ibrahim Ahmad 3.49%, Ahmed Mohammed Rasul 1.4%, Hussein Germiani 0.59%.
According to 98% of the votes: Kurdistani List 57.34%, Change List (Gorran) 23.75%, Service and Reform List (4PartyList) 12.8%, Islamic Movement of Kurdistan 1.45%, Turkmen List 0.99% and Communists 0.82%.
Al-Haidari said that he wanted to congratulate the people of Kurdistan for executing a successful and democratic election which was carried out according to the rules of the IHEC. The results of the election therefore show the choice ot the Kurdish people.
Al-Haidari also said that 300 polling stations out of 5300 will be investigated due to the complaints of the opposition, but that will not affect the number of the Parliament seats. The opposition that complained about IHEC not being neutral have the possibility to take their complaints to the international court.
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Please also read Presidential candidate Dr. Kamal Mirawdelis "Open letter to President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Gordon Brown" published today. Klick this link.
A Statement from the Change List in reference to the tensions and complications of the night of 26/07/2009 in Erbil and Duhok:
It was with great anticipation the people of Kurdistan awaited the day of 25/07/2009 so that they could vote in a free and fair election which would determine the nature of the forthcoming parliament and presidency. We hoped that these elections would take the KRG out of the black list it was placed in after the elections of 2005. However, with great regret after 3pm on the day of the election the governing powers began election rigging in a systematic and widespread manner in the cities and surrounding areas of Erbil and Dohuk with the intention of preempting victory. This undemocratic step completely changed the result of the elections to benefit the governing powers.
From:© 2009, Assyrian International News Agency. http://www.aina.org/news/20090728062638.htm
On the day of the election at 9pm under the guise of celebrations the KDP, governmental, intelligence, and armed forces, attacked the offices of the Change List in the cities of Erbil and Dohuk. A proportion of them were looted and taken over, whilst the others were fired upon. This was most extreme in the city of Dohuk where KDP forces attacked the homes of Change List supporters (reformists), intimidating and harassing them. This included the residence of a candidate of the Change Gorran List (Abdul Wahid Yasin Saed) who at 4am 27/07/2009 for the safety of his family was forced to leave the city of Dohuk for Suleimaniyah. In addition to these acts in these two cities KNN offices were surrounded by armed forces who proceeded to fire gun-shots at the offices in attempt to intimidate, scare and provoke KNN staff.
Up until the writing of this message, the aforementioned party is ongoing in pressurizing; provoking the Change List and the other opposition groups, and in an attempt create a tense atmosphere and environment of fear in those two governorates.
We place the responsibility of those tensions on the President of the KRG, the government and the interior ministry whose role it is to protect the lives and freedoms of its citizens.
The Change List, through all lawful possible means of dialogue and negotiations has endeavored to maintain a peaceful environment as such we hold responsible the president of the KRG for any possible tensions and troubles which may occur in the region.
In this regard we call upon you to put necessary pressure on the governing powers of Kurdistan to mitigate the tensions that the KDP forces have created, and place the necessary pressure on the Independent High Electoral Commission in Iraq to exclude the fraudulent votes.
Note: The KDP have committed fraudulent acts in ten different forms, for which we have evidence and have filled official complaints.
The head of the Change List for the parliamentary elections in Kurdistan,
Nawshirwan Mustafa. 27/07/2009 [Translated from Kurdish to English].
July 28, 2009
Gorran from Behdinan left their homes due to death threats
Today Gorran (Change List) held a conference at Gorran headquarter in Sulaymaniya where we discussed recent events, election results and planned for the future.
We also talked to twentyfive of our people from the Behdinan area who have left their homes. They had all received death threats from KDP members and are afraid of being listed on their "death list."
These threats are now been reported to the police and we expect the justice system to deal with them. We have asked them all to return to their homes in Aqrah, Sersink, Khadish and Duhok and put their trust in the legal system to protect them. They have agreed to do that except for Abdul Wahad, parliamentary candidate for Gorran, whose house and family were attacked this sunday. Also Lazgin Zelman was not willing to go back in fear of those who have threatened him.
We also talked to twentyfive of our people from the Behdinan area who have left their homes. They had all received death threats from KDP members and are afraid of being listed on their "death list."
These threats are now been reported to the police and we expect the justice system to deal with them. We have asked them all to return to their homes in Aqrah, Sersink, Khadish and Duhok and put their trust in the legal system to protect them. They have agreed to do that except for Abdul Wahad, parliamentary candidate for Gorran, whose house and family were attacked this sunday. Also Lazgin Zelman was not willing to go back in fear of those who have threatened him.
July 27, 2009
Pre-election information from IHEC was false
We have talked to IHEC representatives today about our complaints and wanted information about what actions they are going to take. IHEC had before the election given us the information that we had three days to file our complaints after the election and that the votes will be sorted and counted at polling stations, then be taken to Dohuk where the results would be registered over a computor system. Then the ballots were to be flown to Bagdad where IHEC would recount the votes and check with the registered counts in Duhok.
Now they told us that the complaints had to be in Baghdad by 6 PM today if they were to be reviewed! But that is not the information we had and our complaints sent today will not be there in time. We called head quarters in Sulaymaniya and they reasoned with IHEC. They referred to the IHEC rules, which say 3 days after election. Then they gave us time until tomorrow 6 PM.
We then asked about the recounting in Baghdad. We were told that they are not going to recount any votes or check any bundles of votes! Why? "It costs us time and personnel and we do not need to according to our rules." But we need you to check because not any of our observers were allowed to be present when they sorted and counted the votes in any of the polling stations in Zakho! IHEC then said we should choose a few polling stations and they will recount only those ballots. We in Gorran (Change List) and the 4partylist (Service and Reform List) are asking IHEC to recount all votes from Dohuk Governate, 550 000 registered voters. This because of the massive fraud we have witnessed during the election. The complaints made by both Gorran and 4partylist should point to the need to recount.
Among our complaints besides what we previously have told you about, are also that those who voted on the special vote before the election day have been allowed to vote again. Also dead people and people living abroad have casted their votes.
The extended hour on election day also was not needed for the voters. There were no lines at all at any of the polling stations in Zakho at 5 PM when they said they were going to extend one hour. All party observers said we do not need to extend and this have also been reported to the IHEC. IHEC should check with people who did not go to vote if their votes have been casted without them being there.
KDP have influence over all who were working at the polling stations. That is why we needed all the observers. In my private opinion KDP have systematically cheated through this election in every way they could think of.
Now they told us that the complaints had to be in Baghdad by 6 PM today if they were to be reviewed! But that is not the information we had and our complaints sent today will not be there in time. We called head quarters in Sulaymaniya and they reasoned with IHEC. They referred to the IHEC rules, which say 3 days after election. Then they gave us time until tomorrow 6 PM.
We then asked about the recounting in Baghdad. We were told that they are not going to recount any votes or check any bundles of votes! Why? "It costs us time and personnel and we do not need to according to our rules." But we need you to check because not any of our observers were allowed to be present when they sorted and counted the votes in any of the polling stations in Zakho! IHEC then said we should choose a few polling stations and they will recount only those ballots. We in Gorran (Change List) and the 4partylist (Service and Reform List) are asking IHEC to recount all votes from Dohuk Governate, 550 000 registered voters. This because of the massive fraud we have witnessed during the election. The complaints made by both Gorran and 4partylist should point to the need to recount.
Among our complaints besides what we previously have told you about, are also that those who voted on the special vote before the election day have been allowed to vote again. Also dead people and people living abroad have casted their votes.
The extended hour on election day also was not needed for the voters. There were no lines at all at any of the polling stations in Zakho at 5 PM when they said they were going to extend one hour. All party observers said we do not need to extend and this have also been reported to the IHEC. IHEC should check with people who did not go to vote if their votes have been casted without them being there.
KDP have influence over all who were working at the polling stations. That is why we needed all the observers. In my private opinion KDP have systematically cheated through this election in every way they could think of.
Words from Idris Sheranshi to you all
I am sad to say that our brother kurds planned a bloody celebration without official results. Several people have been killed and many are injured in Erbil during last night.
I would like to ask all kurds that love democracy and freedom: How can a celebration turn into violence? How can they let their brothers blood flow on the streets?
For those who have lost their lives and their families, I would like to see Barzani and Talabani in public ask them for forgiveness and admit their mistake. Because they deserve it and because all kurds in Kurdistan need them to.
We in Gorran will keep fighting and working for democracy and justice as long as one of us is alive.
I would like to ask all kurds that love democracy and freedom: How can a celebration turn into violence? How can they let their brothers blood flow on the streets?
For those who have lost their lives and their families, I would like to see Barzani and Talabani in public ask them for forgiveness and admit their mistake. Because they deserve it and because all kurds in Kurdistan need them to.
We in Gorran will keep fighting and working for democracy and justice as long as one of us is alive.
Uncertain election results due to fraud
We believe the preliminary numbers reported drastically will be changed. That is if IHEC does its work right. What we heard now is that Gorran (Change List) have 26 000 votes in Duhok governate. But these numbers are unsure and can change. If these numbers are correct Gorran will fill 23 Parliament seats in Sulaymaniya, 7 seats for Erbil, and 1 seat for Duhok.
But these numbers are very unsure. We have filed our complaints of fraud to the IHEC and these will be reviewed in the next few days.
We have heard from a source in IHEC that Gorran votes have been found in the Kurdistani List bundles. When they count they sort votes in bundles of 50 or 100. Maybe they hoped that the IHEC in Baghdad only would count the bundles without opening them and check each vote...
Last night we gathered all complaints from our observers and also wrote those that we had not been able to write directly due to polling station officials refusing to give us the form. We have written statements from witnesses. We had to get new forms from Duhok to be able to write them down. The complaint forms are sent to IHEC Baghdad today.
After all violence that have already begun to spread we plead to our supporters to stay calm and await the IHEC verdict. But if the IHEC disregards all our complaints there will be protests for sure.
But these numbers are very unsure. We have filed our complaints of fraud to the IHEC and these will be reviewed in the next few days.
We have heard from a source in IHEC that Gorran votes have been found in the Kurdistani List bundles. When they count they sort votes in bundles of 50 or 100. Maybe they hoped that the IHEC in Baghdad only would count the bundles without opening them and check each vote...
Last night we gathered all complaints from our observers and also wrote those that we had not been able to write directly due to polling station officials refusing to give us the form. We have written statements from witnesses. We had to get new forms from Duhok to be able to write them down. The complaint forms are sent to IHEC Baghdad today.
After all violence that have already begun to spread we plead to our supporters to stay calm and await the IHEC verdict. But if the IHEC disregards all our complaints there will be protests for sure.
Gorran office in Duhok attacked by KDP
Reporting now on what happened this night in Duhok. KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) members and supporters have during the night been celebrating their victory. There have been celebration shooting everywhere on the streets.
We in Zakho got a call from our Gorran (Change List) office in Dohuk where three of our officials stayed. They told us that they were as of right now being attacked by KDP! There were 20-30 cars full of people outside the office shouting and cursing Gorran, throwing stones and even pounding on the door. Rocks came in through the windows.
We called the Asayish in Duhok for help but they answered us that they had nothing to do with that. We called the Moqafa (special demonstration security/riot force) but they also answered us that they had nothing to do with that. So we called the emergency center, but as soon they heard we were calling from Gorran they hung up on us! We called the mayor of Duhok and he said he could not do anything.
We feared for our comrades in Duhok and called headquarters in Sulaymaniya and some friends within the police. Now one police car and two Asayish cars showed up on the scene and the KDP cars left the office premises.They left to attack the office of List 59 (Service and Reform List) but we do not know what happened there.
After a while they came back. They kept throwing rocks and shouting curses. So we called head quarters in Sulaymaniya again. They called the Ministry of Interior. The Interior Minister must have contacted the mayor of Dohuk, Azad, who called the Duhok office to speak to our officials there. They called us here in Zakho and I got to speak with the mayor myself. He told me that it was illegal to have the campaign office there now that the election was over. We said that IHEC allows us to have it there for several days after, to give us time to clear it out. He told us it was our fault, we should have closed the office. He did not say anything about the attack but ordered us to take our flags and posters down right away and that the office should be cleared out at 8 AM. But what about the attackers? Azad said they were just drunken supporters out to celebrate their victory and that we provoked them with illegally being there with our flags and posters. The Asayish on the scene told us to start taking flags down before sending the attackers away.
The KDP hooligans also paid a visit to the house of Abdul Wahad, posted for a parliamentary seat for Change List in Duhok. He was not there but his family was home. His children were frightened when KDP smashed the windows of the house and shouted curses over Gorran.
We hear now that similar attacks happened during the night in Erbil. That makes me wonder if this was planned ahead by the KDP. What will they gain by this? Are they trying to intimidate us from protesting over the election fraud they commited?
We in Zakho got a call from our Gorran (Change List) office in Dohuk where three of our officials stayed. They told us that they were as of right now being attacked by KDP! There were 20-30 cars full of people outside the office shouting and cursing Gorran, throwing stones and even pounding on the door. Rocks came in through the windows.
We called the Asayish in Duhok for help but they answered us that they had nothing to do with that. We called the Moqafa (special demonstration security/riot force) but they also answered us that they had nothing to do with that. So we called the emergency center, but as soon they heard we were calling from Gorran they hung up on us! We called the mayor of Duhok and he said he could not do anything.
We feared for our comrades in Duhok and called headquarters in Sulaymaniya and some friends within the police. Now one police car and two Asayish cars showed up on the scene and the KDP cars left the office premises.They left to attack the office of List 59 (Service and Reform List) but we do not know what happened there.
After a while they came back. They kept throwing rocks and shouting curses. So we called head quarters in Sulaymaniya again. They called the Ministry of Interior. The Interior Minister must have contacted the mayor of Dohuk, Azad, who called the Duhok office to speak to our officials there. They called us here in Zakho and I got to speak with the mayor myself. He told me that it was illegal to have the campaign office there now that the election was over. We said that IHEC allows us to have it there for several days after, to give us time to clear it out. He told us it was our fault, we should have closed the office. He did not say anything about the attack but ordered us to take our flags and posters down right away and that the office should be cleared out at 8 AM. But what about the attackers? Azad said they were just drunken supporters out to celebrate their victory and that we provoked them with illegally being there with our flags and posters. The Asayish on the scene told us to start taking flags down before sending the attackers away.
The KDP hooligans also paid a visit to the house of Abdul Wahad, posted for a parliamentary seat for Change List in Duhok. He was not there but his family was home. His children were frightened when KDP smashed the windows of the house and shouted curses over Gorran.
We hear now that similar attacks happened during the night in Erbil. That makes me wonder if this was planned ahead by the KDP. What will they gain by this? Are they trying to intimidate us from protesting over the election fraud they commited?
July 26, 2009
Waiting for official results
While waiting for official results we can give you the preliminary results on participation ratio: For Kurdistan 78%. In the three provinces: Sulaymaniya 74.5%, Duhok 85.2% and Erbil 79%.
Preliminary counts on votes for Gorran (Change List) in Behdinan area: 14600 in Duhok province. Of these Zakho, with 115 000 registered voters, Gorran counts for 2605.
We are very disappointed of the results in Duhok governate, Behdinan area. We are collecting all complaints which are being sent to IHEC. We are then going to wait for IHEC to analyze these and also wait for official results of the polls. In my personal view, not speaking for Gorran, I belive that Gorran would have reached 65-75% if the election would have been executed free and in democratic order. This I say through experiencing this election from the inside and through seeing what I have seen.
We are happy for the preliminary results in Sulaymaniya which will be 54-60% giving Gorran 25-30 seats in parliament. Preliminary results for Kurdistan from KurdistanOnLine: 50% for the Kurdistani List, 28% for Gorran and 21% for the 4 Party List. We in the Change List are now in the position of making a change for Kurdistan.
Preliminary counts on votes for Gorran (Change List) in Behdinan area: 14600 in Duhok province. Of these Zakho, with 115 000 registered voters, Gorran counts for 2605.
We are very disappointed of the results in Duhok governate, Behdinan area. We are collecting all complaints which are being sent to IHEC. We are then going to wait for IHEC to analyze these and also wait for official results of the polls. In my personal view, not speaking for Gorran, I belive that Gorran would have reached 65-75% if the election would have been executed free and in democratic order. This I say through experiencing this election from the inside and through seeing what I have seen.
We are happy for the preliminary results in Sulaymaniya which will be 54-60% giving Gorran 25-30 seats in parliament. Preliminary results for Kurdistan from KurdistanOnLine: 50% for the Kurdistani List, 28% for Gorran and 21% for the 4 Party List. We in the Change List are now in the position of making a change for Kurdistan.
July 25, 2009
Shameless cheating in Zakho by KDP
The turnout for Zakho will be very high. The votes that will be counted could even exceed 100%. How come? Our observers report that the extended hour are being used for casting votes for all registered that have not voted. The personnel at polling stations are filling in all remaing ballot papers, voting for Kurdistani List. One of our supporters waited until the last minutes to vote. At the door he was asked what he is going to vote for and he said Listi 54 (Kurdistani List) and then he was let in with the words that he could help them and fill in some extra votes... We have also gotten a report that buses of hospital personnel, cleaners, janitors, guards etc have been sent to vote again during the last hours.
Observers from all polling stations in Zakho have all day reported people from KDP been seen voting several times. Arif Ali, Moxtar (chieftain) of Sabaanisan area, have been noted to cast his vote at least six times today.
The KDP have no shame at all. They openly are cheating and depriving their own people their right to vote independently. In room 4 at polling station Rauda the supervisor is not even giving the voters the ballot paper, he just writes the line for them, "helping" them to vote for Listi 54. Of those who are on duty for the IHEC at the polling stations, 99% are KDP members or supporters.
At the polling station Delal school our observers were kicked out in the afternoon. We contacted two international observers and asked them to be present at Delal and observe until the ballot boxes were seeled and sent away. They agreed to do that. These observers also told us that they had witnessed quite a deal of foul play in Zakho today.
We are really sad to say that the election in Zakho did not turn into a celebration of Kurdish freedom and democracy. Many of our adversaries were certainly sceptical to our attempt to hold a democratic and free election. Now the KDP have brought shame on our people by proving the sceptics right.
Observers from all polling stations in Zakho have all day reported people from KDP been seen voting several times. Arif Ali, Moxtar (chieftain) of Sabaanisan area, have been noted to cast his vote at least six times today.
The KDP have no shame at all. They openly are cheating and depriving their own people their right to vote independently. In room 4 at polling station Rauda the supervisor is not even giving the voters the ballot paper, he just writes the line for them, "helping" them to vote for Listi 54. Of those who are on duty for the IHEC at the polling stations, 99% are KDP members or supporters.
At the polling station Delal school our observers were kicked out in the afternoon. We contacted two international observers and asked them to be present at Delal and observe until the ballot boxes were seeled and sent away. They agreed to do that. These observers also told us that they had witnessed quite a deal of foul play in Zakho today.
We are really sad to say that the election in Zakho did not turn into a celebration of Kurdish freedom and democracy. Many of our adversaries were certainly sceptical to our attempt to hold a democratic and free election. Now the KDP have brought shame on our people by proving the sceptics right.
More cheating at polling stations in Zakho
The Change List are receiving more reports from our observers at the polling stations. At Brifka camp in Kanimase the observer have seen several whole families cast their vote twice. They are voting in the names of other families that are abroad, showing up their Food-for-oil cards.
At the polling station Nehren school in Sabanisan the observer reports seeing same persons cast their votes several times. They have been seen going to the KDP office in Sabanisan where the ink on their fingers has been washed away.
At Ermen school the observer also report that same people are voting several times. And in all polling stations our observers report seeing the supervisors and officials urging people to vote for List 54 (Kurdistani List). They also report from most of the polling stations that the supervisors are "helping" people vote behind the curtains. When we complain about this, they say "we have the right to help the illiterate and others who need help".
Kerim Haji, Moxtar (chieftain of his street) was brutally prevented to cast his vote at Jwan school. The IHEC contact at this polling station, Helagord, took his voting card out of his hands and put an X for Kurdistani List and then dropped it in the ballot box. This subsequently lead to a harsh discussion between them...
All incidents we are telling you about are being reported to the IHEC with names of witnesses and written statements.
The turnout for Zakho is 60% as of right now at 2 PM. It looks like we are seeing a high level of participation in the elections. The Kurdish people are eager to practice their right to vote in what we perceive as "the first real Kurdish election".
At the polling station Nehren school in Sabanisan the observer reports seeing same persons cast their votes several times. They have been seen going to the KDP office in Sabanisan where the ink on their fingers has been washed away.
At Ermen school the observer also report that same people are voting several times. And in all polling stations our observers report seeing the supervisors and officials urging people to vote for List 54 (Kurdistani List). They also report from most of the polling stations that the supervisors are "helping" people vote behind the curtains. When we complain about this, they say "we have the right to help the illiterate and others who need help".
Kerim Haji, Moxtar (chieftain of his street) was brutally prevented to cast his vote at Jwan school. The IHEC contact at this polling station, Helagord, took his voting card out of his hands and put an X for Kurdistani List and then dropped it in the ballot box. This subsequently lead to a harsh discussion between them...
All incidents we are telling you about are being reported to the IHEC with names of witnesses and written statements.
The turnout for Zakho is 60% as of right now at 2 PM. It looks like we are seeing a high level of participation in the elections. The Kurdish people are eager to practice their right to vote in what we perceive as "the first real Kurdish election".
Cheating at polling stations
The Change List observers report foul play in several polling stations in Zakho. Our observer in Delal school in Room 2 observed the room supervisor accompany voters behind the curtains to "help" them to vote. One woman objected, but he said "but you cannot read and write so I will help you" and followed her behind the curtains despite her objections. We told this official that this is illegal and he said he is just helping the illiterate people. The observer were not allowed to go in and observe in room 1 at all. When we went to talk to the IHEC contact for this polling station, Delal Ismael Abdullah, she refused to give us the complaint form for reporting this incident to the IHEC.
From the polling station at Zin shool our observer reported that the room officials at the doors and the supervisors in the rooms urge people to vote for the Kurdistani List no.54.
From the polling stations at Jwan school and Zagruss school observers report seeing the same people vote several times and that others are turned back because they are not on the lists. Also from several polling stations observers notice that elder people accompany their young ones behind the curtains to "help" them vote.
We will file complaint on all incidents we see to the IHEC. We need to do this for the Kurdish people who deserve a fair election and in order to develop the democracy of Kurdistan. We were hoping to get the eyes of the world from international observers to help us, but here in Zakho they are absent.
From the polling station at Zin shool our observer reported that the room officials at the doors and the supervisors in the rooms urge people to vote for the Kurdistani List no.54.
From the polling stations at Jwan school and Zagruss school observers report seeing the same people vote several times and that others are turned back because they are not on the lists. Also from several polling stations observers notice that elder people accompany their young ones behind the curtains to "help" them vote.
We will file complaint on all incidents we see to the IHEC. We need to do this for the Kurdish people who deserve a fair election and in order to develop the democracy of Kurdistan. We were hoping to get the eyes of the world from international observers to help us, but here in Zakho they are absent.
July 24, 2009
Change List got 61.7% of the votes in Sulaymaniya
We have just heard the results of yesterdays voting of the security personnel, hospitals, prisons etc. in Sulaymaniya. The Change List - Gorran - received 61.7% of the votes. We have not yet heard results from the other districts. These results fill our hearts with optimism before the coming election day tomorrow.
We in the Change List in Zakho are prepared for the elections tomorrow. There will be observers in all the polling stations. We hope that the election will procede in a calm, respectful and democratic way. We hope this day will be a day full of joy for all the people of Kurdistan and that we will show the world that we are able to hold an election that is democratic and free.
We in the Change List in Zakho are prepared for the elections tomorrow. There will be observers in all the polling stations. We hope that the election will procede in a calm, respectful and democratic way. We hope this day will be a day full of joy for all the people of Kurdistan and that we will show the world that we are able to hold an election that is democratic and free.
July 23, 2009
Verbal assault on Gorran official by the illiterate general Osman Qasem
The Change List election poll observers have reported the voting today the 23 of July as being calm and with no signs of foul play. But there will be several complaints filed on voters being armed, carrying weapons openly. This has been reported from most of the polling stations.
We are also filing a complaint to the Independent High Electoral Commision (IHEC) on behalf of Dindar Yusef, the Change List official in Zakho. At 5.40 PM today when he was in the polling station at Raman school, general Osman Qasem, the head of peshmerga (Supa), Zakho, threatened him. He told him to "remain calm or else...". He answered "you be calm" and then Qasems guards showered him with curses as they passed him. Osman Qasem did not answer them to avoid a conflict. He also feared that they were armed, although he did not see any visible weapons.
The Change List in Kurdistan have filed hundreds of complaints on the Kurdistani List breaking the IHEC rules during the campaign period. Some of them have already been fined. In order to develop a democratic procedure for future elections we need to report all incidents and all breaching of rules. We will learn this way, and hopefully the attitudes of all will grow into the democratic way of thinking eventually.
We are also filing a complaint to the Independent High Electoral Commision (IHEC) on behalf of Dindar Yusef, the Change List official in Zakho. At 5.40 PM today when he was in the polling station at Raman school, general Osman Qasem, the head of peshmerga (Supa), Zakho, threatened him. He told him to "remain calm or else...". He answered "you be calm" and then Qasems guards showered him with curses as they passed him. Osman Qasem did not answer them to avoid a conflict. He also feared that they were armed, although he did not see any visible weapons.
The Change List in Kurdistan have filed hundreds of complaints on the Kurdistani List breaking the IHEC rules during the campaign period. Some of them have already been fined. In order to develop a democratic procedure for future elections we need to report all incidents and all breaching of rules. We will learn this way, and hopefully the attitudes of all will grow into the democratic way of thinking eventually.
Polling station observers KDP agents?
This morning we gathered the Change List polling station observers before they were being sent out to observe the voting of the security personnel; police, military, fire department, hospital employees etc. We had registered them by names to the authorities a few days ago and now we heard that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) had received a list of their names. We told our observers that if they had been approached by the KDP they should tell us. We told them that if they are working for the KDP and they act as our observers during the election, they will be reported to the Independent High Electoral Commision (IHEC) and charged with this and that it could lead to fines or prison sentences. We said that in order to avoid serious consequences for them they better leave now. Six of the eighteen observers left. We had to put in reserves in their places.
But we are happy to report that the voting today has been a calm event and the observers have not discovered any signs of foul play. There can be two reasons for this; either the rules by the IHEC are being respected or it is because those who vote today are all employed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The KDP may expect that most of them will vote for the Kurdistani List 54. But we in the Change List believe that when these votes have been counted we will see a big surprise.
If these elections will be executed in a democratic, free and transparent way, we in the Change List will be truly grateful and happy for the Kurdish people. We need to show the rest of the world that we are a people who will, and can, form a democratic society.
But we are happy to report that the voting today has been a calm event and the observers have not discovered any signs of foul play. There can be two reasons for this; either the rules by the IHEC are being respected or it is because those who vote today are all employed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The KDP may expect that most of them will vote for the Kurdistani List 54. But we in the Change List believe that when these votes have been counted we will see a big surprise.
If these elections will be executed in a democratic, free and transparent way, we in the Change List will be truly grateful and happy for the Kurdish people. We need to show the rest of the world that we are a people who will, and can, form a democratic society.
Preparing for the elections
The last two days here in Zakho there has been a hugh increase in the number of people that are coming to us at the Change List office or are calling us by telephone, telling us they will vote for us. But most of them ask us not to mention their names to anybody. They are afraid to loose their paycheck from the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) if they find out that they renounced the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party). This is widespread because in Kurdistan 1 of 4 has a job with a wage from the KRG. Most of these people are poor and they are disappointed in the KRG for neglecting their needs. But there are also some that enthusiasticly offer to work with us openly.
Today we also held a conference and discussed how our election observers should be organized. We will have an observer in every polling station during the elections. We will supervise the registration, voting, counting of votes until they leave in seeled boxes to Baghdad where the IHEC (Independent High Electoral Commision) will recount the votes. We hope that the international independent observers are present in as many polling stations as possible.
Wednesday 22 of July was the last of the campaigning days and now the election starts. No campaigning is allowed from now until election day. Thursday 23 of July all personnel within security, the police, the fire department, hospitals etc. will vote so that they can maintain preparedness over the elections. Hopefully this means that the Asayish (Kurdish security police) will leave us alone this day or will they follow us around anyway...
Today we also held a conference and discussed how our election observers should be organized. We will have an observer in every polling station during the elections. We will supervise the registration, voting, counting of votes until they leave in seeled boxes to Baghdad where the IHEC (Independent High Electoral Commision) will recount the votes. We hope that the international independent observers are present in as many polling stations as possible.
Wednesday 22 of July was the last of the campaigning days and now the election starts. No campaigning is allowed from now until election day. Thursday 23 of July all personnel within security, the police, the fire department, hospitals etc. will vote so that they can maintain preparedness over the elections. Hopefully this means that the Asayish (Kurdish security police) will leave us alone this day or will they follow us around anyway...
July 21, 2009
Change List hindered by the police
Today we visited Duhok to meet up with our supporters there.We were happy to see that more and more people are coming to us to discuss the Change List program. Many of them are disappointed with the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) and are considering abandoning them in favor for the Change List. It seems that the number of threats are decreasing. But the Asayish (Kurdish security police) and the Parastin (Kurdish intelligence agency) are watching every step we take. And it seems that they take every opportunity to obstruct our campaign by hindering us in any way they can.
This Sunday the Change List official in Dohuk, Ismat Nerwahi, was traveling back from Sulaymanya via Barzan. At the control before entering Barzan they were stopped by the Asayish. They were held there for 40 minutes while they were checking the car and ID's. They were traveling in a car with KNN (Kurdish News Network) symbols and with KNN ID's. Then they let them go. But they had only been driving a few miles when they were stopped by the Parastin. Now they were asked to turn back and take another road to Dohuk. So they had to take the road via Aqrah, on small roads over the mountains. They left Sulaymania at 6 PM so now they had to travel in the dark on unsafe roads and the trip that should have taken half an hour turned in to a several hour excursion.
Four days remain until election day. We will bear all the hindering of our campaign with calm and not let us be provoked. We ask our supporters to do the same.
This Sunday the Change List official in Dohuk, Ismat Nerwahi, was traveling back from Sulaymanya via Barzan. At the control before entering Barzan they were stopped by the Asayish. They were held there for 40 minutes while they were checking the car and ID's. They were traveling in a car with KNN (Kurdish News Network) symbols and with KNN ID's. Then they let them go. But they had only been driving a few miles when they were stopped by the Parastin. Now they were asked to turn back and take another road to Dohuk. So they had to take the road via Aqrah, on small roads over the mountains. They left Sulaymania at 6 PM so now they had to travel in the dark on unsafe roads and the trip that should have taken half an hour turned in to a several hour excursion.
Four days remain until election day. We will bear all the hindering of our campaign with calm and not let us be provoked. We ask our supporters to do the same.
July 20, 2009
Change on its way in Zakho
Today we in the Change List notice a different attitude in people. More people are taking contact with us and they appear less frightened.They have heard that hundreds of people are abandoning the Kurdistani List parties.It seems that the Kurdistani List tactics are turning on themselves. People do not like what they see and hear. People are showing interest in our program and they actively take contact with us instead of the other way around. And they find us though we do not have an office in Zakho. We have made our own homes to offices and there are no flags and posters on our houses.
The word is however that many fear that the last days of the election campaign will be violent. But we are telling all supporters to keep calm. We will not seek conflict and will not provoke the Kurdistani List supporters by envolving ourselves in discussions with them. People do not see this as weakness. They see that we are strong and that we will not be intimidated. They see that we are here not for ourselves but for them. We are here because our people need a change.
The word is however that many fear that the last days of the election campaign will be violent. But we are telling all supporters to keep calm. We will not seek conflict and will not provoke the Kurdistani List supporters by envolving ourselves in discussions with them. People do not see this as weakness. They see that we are strong and that we will not be intimidated. They see that we are here not for ourselves but for them. We are here because our people need a change.
Visit at a poor family in Zakho
During our door-to-door campaign visits we were not invited in by one of the families we had planned to visit. This man have always supported the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) and all his family have been lojal to them. But surprisingly he then called Halima A. Othman, posted on the Change List as no.48, and asked if the Change List would like to come for a visit. So we went to talk to him. He lives with his wife and seven children in a small concrete house with a roof made of mud and with very poor hygienic sanitation facilities. He has been unemployed for several years and struggles hard to support his family. He has no direct connections with the KDP but have tried over and over again to get their help in finding a job. He has applied many times to get a post at the Peshmerga (Kurdish police) in Zakho. He tries to make a living by selling parts for guns but he cannot earn enough to support his family. He is very disappointed in the KRG (the Kurdish Regional Government) and in the KDP for not helping the people in Zakho.
The unemployment rate in Zakho were 4% in 2001 and was the lowest in the Dohuk governate (9%). There are no official statistics for today but we know that the unemployment rate in Zakho has tripled since then. The unemployment rate for the Dohuk governate today is 20%. This is due to the KRG neglecting the whole Behdinan area. There are no strategic plans for reform or social development programs. There are no employment agencies to help our people to find work and many of the job opportunities are filled with imported labour force from Georgia, Pakistan, Sudan, Ethiopia etc.
There are many poor families like this here in the Dohuk governate. And people are disappointed in the KRG. The man we visited said that he hoped now that the Change List really can make a change for families like his and said that he would lay his vote for us in the elections.
Halima A. Othman,
posted on the Change List as no.48
The unemployment rate in Zakho were 4% in 2001 and was the lowest in the Dohuk governate (9%). There are no official statistics for today but we know that the unemployment rate in Zakho has tripled since then. The unemployment rate for the Dohuk governate today is 20%. This is due to the KRG neglecting the whole Behdinan area. There are no strategic plans for reform or social development programs. There are no employment agencies to help our people to find work and many of the job opportunities are filled with imported labour force from Georgia, Pakistan, Sudan, Ethiopia etc.
There are many poor families like this here in the Dohuk governate. And people are disappointed in the KRG. The man we visited said that he hoped now that the Change List really can make a change for families like his and said that he would lay his vote for us in the elections.
Halima A. Othman,
posted on the Change List as no.48
July 19, 2009
The KDP/Kurdistani List fear the Change List
The Change List would like to respond to a rumour the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) spreads about us. Or actually they personally confront friends and relatives to our supporters here in Zakho and Dohuk with these statements of "truth" in the warnings and threats they personally present.
According to the KDP we all are agents for Iran, Syria and Turkey. And we are being paid by these countries through Nouri al-Maliki, the Prime Minister of Iraq.
There are no evidence of any of the Change List high officials having connections with these countries. Nashirwan Mustafa cannot travel anywhere, he cannot even step outside his door without being watched by the KDP. Actually we are all being watched by the KDP in evey step we take. We suspect that they want people to turn on us and hurt us or even kill us by trying to undermine the trust people have in us. Or that they will use these accusations as being confirmed when someone of us has been arrested or killed. And if we were paid by anyone, how come we do not own any buildings to set up our campaign offices everywhere? Why do not all posted on the Change List and officials drive luxury cars and live like kings?
According to the KDP is everything we say in public media slander and the only reason for us to do this is to harass or provoke them. Our posters or flags are put up only to taunt them. Obviously the Kurdistani List has no understanding of the democratic framework. They do not know that if these elections should ever be viewed as democratic all sides must be allowed to voice their opinions publicly and without interventions or obstructions. There should be an open dialogue and mutual respect for each other's right to have different opinions and have their own candidates and representatives. The people have the right to hear all sides and then decide independently. But the KDP is doing everything to prevent the Change List from being heard or seen. This attitude explain though why you never see any of our posters or flags anywhere in the Behdinan area. They have been torn down as soon as we have put them up. They must really sting their eyes...
The Kurdistani List are exposing their fear of the Change List. By all the dirty tricks they pull they reveal that they really see the Change List as a threat to them keeping the power. They are showing the people that they are desperate and that they do not have any real arguments to counter with when we accuse them of corruption, nepotism and cronyism. How can you defend that you own everything in Kurdistan when people do not have jobs and food on their table? How can you defend that you and your family use the KRG money as your own and the people does not have electricity, water, roads, schools, hospitals, medicin? No, you cannot. That explains their fear and their exasperated attitude towards the Change List.
Change List flags torn down
According to the KDP we all are agents for Iran, Syria and Turkey. And we are being paid by these countries through Nouri al-Maliki, the Prime Minister of Iraq.
There are no evidence of any of the Change List high officials having connections with these countries. Nashirwan Mustafa cannot travel anywhere, he cannot even step outside his door without being watched by the KDP. Actually we are all being watched by the KDP in evey step we take. We suspect that they want people to turn on us and hurt us or even kill us by trying to undermine the trust people have in us. Or that they will use these accusations as being confirmed when someone of us has been arrested or killed. And if we were paid by anyone, how come we do not own any buildings to set up our campaign offices everywhere? Why do not all posted on the Change List and officials drive luxury cars and live like kings?
According to the KDP is everything we say in public media slander and the only reason for us to do this is to harass or provoke them. Our posters or flags are put up only to taunt them. Obviously the Kurdistani List has no understanding of the democratic framework. They do not know that if these elections should ever be viewed as democratic all sides must be allowed to voice their opinions publicly and without interventions or obstructions. There should be an open dialogue and mutual respect for each other's right to have different opinions and have their own candidates and representatives. The people have the right to hear all sides and then decide independently. But the KDP is doing everything to prevent the Change List from being heard or seen. This attitude explain though why you never see any of our posters or flags anywhere in the Behdinan area. They have been torn down as soon as we have put them up. They must really sting their eyes...
The Kurdistani List are exposing their fear of the Change List. By all the dirty tricks they pull they reveal that they really see the Change List as a threat to them keeping the power. They are showing the people that they are desperate and that they do not have any real arguments to counter with when we accuse them of corruption, nepotism and cronyism. How can you defend that you own everything in Kurdistan when people do not have jobs and food on their table? How can you defend that you and your family use the KRG money as your own and the people does not have electricity, water, roads, schools, hospitals, medicin? No, you cannot. That explains their fear and their exasperated attitude towards the Change List.
Change List flags torn down
Death List by the KDP
Today we are not making the planned campaign trips in Dohuk and Zakho. We need to get more information about the threats we just have received from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)/Kurdistani List. They are giving us the warning that they have a "Death List" were those who do not respond to their bribes or threats will be posted. The KDP declares that on the 26 of July this list will be made operative.
We cannot let anyone get hurt or let them provoke us into retaliating.We do not approve of using threats and violence in making our message known.The Change List are in fact instructing all supporters not to respond to provocations and violence from Kurdistani List supporters.
We cannot let anyone get hurt or let them provoke us into retaliating.We do not approve of using threats and violence in making our message known.The Change List are in fact instructing all supporters not to respond to provocations and violence from Kurdistani List supporters.
July 18, 2009
Open threats by KDP-leader in Sersink, Dohuk
Six of our supporters informed us today at the Change List that they had been openly threatened by Fahmi Selman, leader of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) section 18, Sersink. Three of them wanted us to tell the story and publish their names. Sobhi Hassan Mustafa, known as Sobhi Boti, Lazgin Selman and Mohammed Saleh from Khadish, Sersink, stated that Fahmi Selman told them to renounce their support for the Change List. If they did not, they should expect an unpleasent visit by the KDP the 26 of July. He also promised Sobhi Boti a "special treatment".
Sobhi, Lazgin and Mohammed declare that "no threats can make us stop supporting the Change List. We will continue to be envolved in the campaign". They were upset and indignant over the threats but wanted everyone to know that they would not give in for any threats.
Sobhi, Lazgin and Mohammed declare that "no threats can make us stop supporting the Change List. We will continue to be envolved in the campaign". They were upset and indignant over the threats but wanted everyone to know that they would not give in for any threats.
July 17, 2009
Low-key Change List campaigning
The Change List have no other option than to act low-key and continue to spread its message in a very quiet way. To receive a permit for a public meeting is out of the question, our posters are being torn down, and people are afraid to approach our campaign office. Halima A. Othman, Senior Architect Engineer, Duhok, listed on the Change List and Idris Sheranshi, campaign manager and coordinator for the Change List in Zakho, are trying to keep the election campaign going on despite the obstructions of the Kurdistani List.
Yesterday we spent the whole day paying villages and other areas around Zakho a visit and talked to people door-to-door.
People were mainly positive to our arguments but were reluctant to say anything about their voting preferences openly. The fear for consequences is widely spread among the people. All we could do is to tell people to follow their hearts and their conscience on election day.
As we see it here in the Behdinan areas is that although we have our difficulties in campaigning freely we are full of hope. The Kurdistani List are actually doing most of the campaigning for the Change List. They are showing the people that we are right in what we say about them.
Idris Sheranshi and Halima A. Othman
Idris Sheranshi
Yesterday we spent the whole day paying villages and other areas around Zakho a visit and talked to people door-to-door.
People were mainly positive to our arguments but were reluctant to say anything about their voting preferences openly. The fear for consequences is widely spread among the people. All we could do is to tell people to follow their hearts and their conscience on election day.
As we see it here in the Behdinan areas is that although we have our difficulties in campaigning freely we are full of hope. The Kurdistani List are actually doing most of the campaigning for the Change List. They are showing the people that we are right in what we say about them.
Idris Sheranshi and Halima A. Othman
Idris Sheranshi
Will Change List voters burn in hell?
In Zakho the Kurdistan Democratic Party has a firm grip on influential people.Today, Friday, the religious council head Mullah Ahmed Shernaki had an unusual message in his sermon. He told the several hundreds of listeners at the Haji Ibrahim mosque that he who lays his vote for others than the Kurdistani List on the election day are devils and will burn in hell. Mullah Ahmed Shernaki has clearly been rewarded in advance for these words. Anyone who is not blind can see his new Land Cruiser Prado on the streets...
Sad to say, this makes it clear that a fair election process in the Behdinan areas is not possible. Bribes, threats, harassment, obstruction, persecution, spreading of false information, namecalling, provocations to conflict, police brutality et cetera is not enough for the Kurdistani List. Now they use the name of Allah to scare people into submission.
Sad to say, this makes it clear that a fair election process in the Behdinan areas is not possible. Bribes, threats, harassment, obstruction, persecution, spreading of false information, namecalling, provocations to conflict, police brutality et cetera is not enough for the Kurdistani List. Now they use the name of Allah to scare people into submission.
July 16, 2009
More dirty tricks from Kurdistani List
The Kurdistani List will not stop harassing our supporters. One of them who works for us in Zakho appeared on KNN, the TV network of the Change List, voicing his opinions on the KRG's (Kurdish Regional Government) injust treatment of the Behdinan areas. His eldest brother was immediately called from Dohuk to Zakho to meet with The Kurdistani List. They told him that his brother because of his links with the Change List now stands alone. They wanted him to understand that his brother now was at risk for anything (violence, accidents, murder...). So if he had any influence on his brother he should ask him to renounce his support for the Change List.
The Kurdistani List also puts in strong effort to spread the word that it is risky on the election day to vote for the Change List. There will be hiddden cameras monitoring even though you vote behind curtains. Also it will be meaningless to vote for the Change List because the votes will not be counted anyway.
The Change List are trying to assure the people that their vote is not dangerous or meaningless. We put our trust in the independent observers and media that will be present during the election process. We hope that EU and USA will help the kurdish people experience a fair election. But we understand the fear of the Behdinan people. Threats, arrests without reason, no trials, torture, murder is what we have been used to see all our lives...
The Kurdistani List also puts in strong effort to spread the word that it is risky on the election day to vote for the Change List. There will be hiddden cameras monitoring even though you vote behind curtains. Also it will be meaningless to vote for the Change List because the votes will not be counted anyway.
The Change List are trying to assure the people that their vote is not dangerous or meaningless. We put our trust in the independent observers and media that will be present during the election process. We hope that EU and USA will help the kurdish people experience a fair election. But we understand the fear of the Behdinan people. Threats, arrests without reason, no trials, torture, murder is what we have been used to see all our lives...
July 15, 2009
Dirty tricks in the Kurdish Election
The Change List here in the Behdinan areas, Duhok and Zakho, are not experiencing that people are feeling the same kind of excitement over the election as in Sulemaniya. People here are afraid. The Change List will not accept that people get hurt or loose their livelihoods in showing us their support. We are forced to work in diffrent ways. Instead of normal election campaigning our work is focused on spreading our message in a more quiet way than rallies and direct konfrontation with the Kurdistani List supporters.
The Change List are also trying to avoid being provoked by the Kurdistani List. We see that the Kurdistani List are using every dirty trick in the book. Not only are they trying to threat or bribe our supporters, they also are following us around, "spying" on us to see what we are up to and who are speaking to us. Another dirty trick is to provoke us in to making mistakes. When tomato throwing children were sent out to attack our caravan of cars July 13 large numbers of police were also waiting there for us. We have heard from a reliable source that the police were waiting for us to be provoked by these children. They were hoping that some of us should have jumped out of our cars. And they would have had us arrested on the spot.
But people are also getting angry now. The provocations of the Kurdistani List are not invisible for the people on the streets. When the Kurdistani List are trying to stop the Change List from campaigning in every way they can, they probably are digging their own graves...
The Change List are also trying to avoid being provoked by the Kurdistani List. We see that the Kurdistani List are using every dirty trick in the book. Not only are they trying to threat or bribe our supporters, they also are following us around, "spying" on us to see what we are up to and who are speaking to us. Another dirty trick is to provoke us in to making mistakes. When tomato throwing children were sent out to attack our caravan of cars July 13 large numbers of police were also waiting there for us. We have heard from a reliable source that the police were waiting for us to be provoked by these children. They were hoping that some of us should have jumped out of our cars. And they would have had us arrested on the spot.
But people are also getting angry now. The provocations of the Kurdistani List are not invisible for the people on the streets. When the Kurdistani List are trying to stop the Change List from campaigning in every way they can, they probably are digging their own graves...
Disillusioned people in kurdish elections
We in the Change List want to plead to the people not to loose their hope. During our campaigning here in the Behdinan areas we notice the bitterness and disillusion of the people. It seems as some of them have lost all hope for the future. Many see the Kurdistan Regional Government as just a new form of dictatorship. People tell us at the Change List that it is useless to try to work for a change. Also people express that they are afraid to voice their opinions and that they are not willing to put their family at risk. They are afraid of consequences like loosing their jobs.
But we in the Change List know that our people in their hearts are brave and proud. We know that our people have come through all our hardships with our souls intact and kurdish spirit unchanged. The Change List would like to address the people with this humble plea: Please use your vote.Which list is to get your vote is just between you and God.
The Change List aim at going through our campaign and the election without violence and dirty tricks. We strive for mutual respect and dialogue with our opponents. Let us show the world that the kurdish people are able to hold an election which is open, transparent and democratic.
But we in the Change List know that our people in their hearts are brave and proud. We know that our people have come through all our hardships with our souls intact and kurdish spirit unchanged. The Change List would like to address the people with this humble plea: Please use your vote.Which list is to get your vote is just between you and God.
The Change List aim at going through our campaign and the election without violence and dirty tricks. We strive for mutual respect and dialogue with our opponents. Let us show the world that the kurdish people are able to hold an election which is open, transparent and democratic.
July 14, 2009
Political platform for the Change List
For those who are interested - the political platform of the Change List can be found here: http://www.gorran.org/Content.aspx?LinkID=9&Action=3
Obstacles in campaigning for the Change List
The Change List are really experiencing how the Kurdistani List parties (KDP/PUK) in every way are trying to hinder our election campaign. For example, when the Change List are trying to open up a campaign office the owner of the facilities receives threats and we are forced out. A couple of weeks ago we moved into a buliding. But as soon as we put our flags and posters up we were asked to move out again. The owner and his family had received death threats and were too afraid to let us stay.
So we searched for another place. And again when we had moved in and put our flags up the owner told us about threats he had received. The threats were not directed to him directly but to his relatives who then pleaded him to not let the Change List use his buildning. We in the Change List will not let any threats stop us but we cannot let people who are afraid take any consequences. So now on our third try we were about to move in to our new campaign office yesterday. But again the owner came to us and told us about how his family and relatives had received threats and that he is too afraid to let us have our office in his building.
The Kurdistani List does not have these problems. They use municipal buildings for their campaign although this is not allowed. Also, all posters that the Change List are putting up are within half an hour torn down. Usually children are used for this task...
Children were also used yesterday in attacking us. We planned a drive through Zakho in our cars plastered with Gorran posters and flags. But we heard that children with tomatoes were placed on the streets waiting for us. So instead of driving through the main streets in the city we took other roads. The caravan of cars managed to avoid the tomatoes but were attacked by stones. The children were deliberately brought along in their cars to execute their dirty work.The police were just standing by - watching.
So we searched for another place. And again when we had moved in and put our flags up the owner told us about threats he had received. The threats were not directed to him directly but to his relatives who then pleaded him to not let the Change List use his buildning. We in the Change List will not let any threats stop us but we cannot let people who are afraid take any consequences. So now on our third try we were about to move in to our new campaign office yesterday. But again the owner came to us and told us about how his family and relatives had received threats and that he is too afraid to let us have our office in his building.
The Kurdistani List does not have these problems. They use municipal buildings for their campaign although this is not allowed. Also, all posters that the Change List are putting up are within half an hour torn down. Usually children are used for this task...
Children were also used yesterday in attacking us. We planned a drive through Zakho in our cars plastered with Gorran posters and flags. But we heard that children with tomatoes were placed on the streets waiting for us. So instead of driving through the main streets in the city we took other roads. The caravan of cars managed to avoid the tomatoes but were attacked by stones. The children were deliberately brought along in their cars to execute their dirty work.The police were just standing by - watching.
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