The strong people of Kurdistan standing up to their enemies and oppressors for centuries have become weak under its own ruling. Day by day since 1991 the ruling parties, KDP and PUK, have been destroying our country. If anyone would say that what I am saying is unfair or untrue, I would tell them to judge for themselves after hearing me out.
When the Kurds did not have enemies to fight after 1991 when our lands came under the protection of the UN, the ruling parties started to fight each other for the power and the money. They became obsessed in fighting each other and did nothing for the people. During those years between 1991 and 2003, what did they do for the people and the country?
In the year of 2003 when the US rid Iraq from Saddam Hussein, the Kurdish people were the strongest of all the Iraqis. We were strong because we had our own land areas under our own control and we had our armed peshmerga who under the protection of the UN had built up a solid organization. Then, when we were strongest, we had all the possibilities to set the terms after our own demands. But what did we demand, what have we gained? Not one square mile of our occupied land, the disputed areas such as Kirkuk or Mosel. Then when we were strongest we did nothing – so what can we do now?
The ruling parties, what have they done for Kurdistan? They have taught the people how to sell themselves and become thieves. They gave their own people, party members, posts with government salaries. They bought people by offering them such posts, many only to hinder them from going over to the other party. They did not mind who they were. Many of these with high posts and salaries are people who sold their souls to Saddam (jeshek). But the strange thing is not that they have the jobs, it is that they all are filthy rich. How? They all line their own pockets through corruption. With the salary they have it is impossible to acquire such wealth. Why does not anyone ask where the money comes from? Because they are all members of the Club of thieves.
I among others saw the elections a year ago as progress in Kurdistan becoming a democracy. But the elections were just a show for the ruling parties. These elections were just the ruling parties giving the people a lesson in how to maintain power by cheating. I saw with my own eyes the cheating, bribing, threatening, harassing, that occurred during not only the Kurdish elections but also again during the Iraqi elections. They did it openly for all to see. They did it to once and for all show the people that no matter what they do, vote or not, protest or be quiet, they will keep the power to rule. The people lost their belief in democracy, lost their hopes for the future and lost their faith in themselves.
The proud people of Kurdistan, who through centuries were willing to sacrifice their lives for their country – who are they now? Are they willing to once again defend this land, sacrifice their lives, for the two thieving families that rule Kurdistan? This new Kurdistan is becoming a house built on frail ice. Why? Because we have a government that does not care for our future. They are focusing on getting rich instead of building the country.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Manager and coordinator of the Change List in Zakho. Born in the village Sheranshi outside of Zakho. Was politically active since 1981 in the Komala and participated in the war from 1984 until 1988 when I fled to Turkey due to the al-Anfal. I live in Sweden since 1991. I am working now to make a Change for my people.
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