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.
August 1, 2009
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.
___________________________________________________________________
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.
___________________________________________________________________
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.
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