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.
Showing posts with label zakho. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zakho. Show all posts
August 2, 2009
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.
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
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 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
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 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...
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.
Kurdish elections and the Change list
We are starting this blog to give you reports on the kurdish elections from Zakho. We are writing to give you small reports on what is going on the streets and what people are talking about. We will also report on what the Change List is having on their agenda for the day and on the obstacles they accounter.
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