Elections Fever
When I go out these days. I see no empty wall. They are all covered in posters. Sometimes there would be layers of them. As competition rises. No empty spot is left. So posters are being put above others. The fever has reached the TV and radio too. As the commercials between shows and songs are being filled up by election commercials. Right now the different candidates and organizations have allied with each other. Creating what is called here "Coalitions". Reducing the number of candidates from a couple of hundreds to only nineteen. We will vote for these coalitions. Each one of them has a vote number. If I want to vote for a certain coalition. I would write the vote number of that coalition on the ballot sheet. You will find below a list of all these coalitions and the names of the different organizations they consist of.
Tawafoq Iraqi Front. Vote number 618. Consists of:
- The Iraqi Islamic Party.
- The General Council For Iraqi People.
- Al Hewar National Iraqi Council.
Arabic List. Vote number 615. Consists of:
- The Arabic Unifying Front.
- National Solidarity Movement.
Kurdistani Gathering. Vote number 730. Consists of:
- Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
- Labor Party of Kurdistan.
- Islamic Group of Kurdistan/Iraq.
- Al Kaldani Democratic United Party.
- Communist Party of Kurdistan.
- Socialist Democratic Party of Kurdistan.
- Democratic Party of Kurdistan.
- Iraqi Turkman Brotherhood Party.
Independent Karbala Coalition. Vote number 533. Consists of:
- Dr. Abbass Naser Hasani Al Hasnawi.
- National Gathering For Karbala Iraqi Tribes.
Brotherhood and Peace List. Vote number 737. Consists of:
- Brotherhood Independent Gathering.
- AL Sheikh Ali Abd Al Husain Kamouneh.
Unified Iraqi Coalition. Vote number 555. Consists of:
- Islamic Da'awa Party.
- Islamic Virtue Party.
- Centrist Coalition Party
- Bader Organization.
- Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution In Iraq.
- Turkman Islamic Union of Iraq.
- Justice and Equality Assembly.
- Iraqi Democratic Movement.
- Movement of Hizbullah in Iraq.
- Turkmen Loyalty Movement.
- Saed Al Shuhada Islamic Movement.
- Al Shabak Democratic Gathering.
- Malhan Al Mkoter-Mr.
- Islamic Da'awa Party-Iraq Organization.
- Reform And Building Meeting.
- Al Sadriah Advertising.
- The Justice Community.
- Iraq Ahrar.
National Iraqi List. Vote number 731. Consists of:
- Iraqi Communist Party.
- Union Party.
- Al-Qasimy Democratic Assembly.
- Iraqi Republican Group.
- Arab Socialist Movement.
- Independent Democratic Gathering.
- Iraqi National Accord.
- Society of Turkman Tribes and Elites.
- Alfurat Al Awsat Assemblage.
- Iraqis.
- Loyalty For Iraq Coalation.
- Independent Iraqi Alliance.
- Independent Iraqi Sheikhs Council.
- The National List.
- Ahrar.
National Iraqi Council List. Vote number 569. Consists of:
- Democratic Iraqi Gathering.
- The First Democratic National Party.
- Iraqi Conference National Party.
- United Labor Democratic Front.
- Turkuman Act Party.
- The Iraqi Constitutional Party.
- Tareq Abd Al Kareem Al Shahd Al Budairi.
- Genral Secretary Advertising For The south Sectional of Iraq.
- The National List.
- Constitutionality Al Shareef Ali Abd Al Hussein Movement.
Islamic Coalition. Vote number 549. Consists of:
- Islamic Action Organization.
- Faili Islamic Gathering In Iraq.
- Religious Communwealth In Iraq.
- Islamic Commonwealth For Iraqi Students.
- Hussaini Cultural Organizations Union.
- Rafah And Freedom Movement.
Justice and Future Coalition. Vote number 517. Consists of:
- The Democratic Progress And Justice Party.
- Dr.Khaled Hmoud Abdalla Al Sa'adoon.
Al Nahrain National List. Vote number 752.
- Assyrian Patriotic Party.
- Beith Nehrain National Union.
- Assyrian Independent Gathering Movement.
- National Caldani Council.
- Hikmat Dawod Hakeem.
- Kildani Democratic Rostrum.
Al Wafaa For Basrah Gathering. Vote number 512.
- Loyalty to Najaf.
- Ramadan Al Badran, Basrah Son.
Hewar National Iraqi Front. Vote number 667. Consists of:
- Iraqi Christian Democratic Party.
- Democratic Arab Front.
- National Front For the United Free Iraq.
- The Iraqi Sons Unified Movement.
- The National Iraqi Front.
Furation- Human Rights. Vote number 647. Consists of:
- Babil People Gathering.
- Human Rights and Civilian United.
Mithal Al Aloosi List For Iraqi Nation. Vote number 620. Consists of:
- Iraqi Federalist Gathering.
- The Iraqi Ummah Party.
Watanion Gathering. Vote number 814. Consists of:
- Iraqi National Movement.
- Iraqi Unite Council.
Iraq Sun. Vote number 652. Consists of:
- Islamic Tallea'a Party.
- Democratic National Coalition.
- United-Democratic-Free Iraq.
Al Khalas National Front. Vote number 798. Consists of:
- Democratic Reconstruction And Justice Party.
- Nasiri Forefront Socialist Party.
- Sawamerah Lords Gathering.
Unified National List. Vote number 829. Consists of:
- The Iraqi National Movement.
- Iraqi Political Gathering.
- Iraqi National Union.
The source of this list is the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq. Which has both English and Arabic. It was originally in a PDF formatted document. Which has both English and Arabic names of the candidates. The Arabic format was being displayed backwards for me so I did not copy any Arabic. Just English. You can download the file from this address.
Right now my favorite candidate is Dr. Iyad Allawi. Who is the leader of the Iraqi National List..
Note: This post has been emailed to my Email List subscribers.
posted by Hassan | 12:13 PM
13 Comments:
Hassan, your blog is full of great information. thanks for the link to the IECI.
Dan C.
I pray that no matter what happens in the elections, these men will be true and honest servants of the people of Iraq. It would be terrible if Iraq's first permanent government were dirtied with corruption and self-interest. Please let Allah guide these men and women to follow their best instincts and not their worst.
To help keep them honest, you must have a robust legal system to catch thieves. Approximately 1,100 government officials are prosecuted for abuse EVERY YEAR in the USA. This helps keep corruption to a low level--the risk is too great and the punishment is severe. And, government salaries are enough to live on.
Isn't this exciting? Here in the USA, we get the campaigning the posters, the TV commercials, the candidates, and the politics. And it comes down to Election Day, when we vote. Then we wait for the results.
I find this process both exciting and invigorating, and they do it all over the world. Even in Iraq, which once belonged to Saddam.
...oh lord how crazy is that you also get the worst part of campaigns..
the stupid crap on the wall, lawns, bustops, you name it they put political signs on it here...
Hi Hassan
Thank you for your list, only one thing I need to know, if you could help, in which of these groups is the Sadrist people? just to make sure I will avoid them
Unless I am mistaken, Sadr has joined the UIC list (#555), which also includes the SCIRI.
Actually, Iraq the Model calls them the UIA, but I am pretty sure it is the same list...#555.
Democracy is a messy business. Especially so, when there is a tribal ethno-nationalism in the fore-front.
Throw in the race question and the religon issues and we have a cauldron of volatile emotions.
I wonder how Iraq's political boundaries are drawn up. Which party has claims to what geographical area.
Super-impose that political relief map onto the tribe demarcations.
What is the tribe in that area. How big is their territory?
Who is the chief?
Does this tribe have any enemies?
Does the chief of this tribe have any quarrels with other chiefs?
What happens then when the Chief decides to get into politics?
Then you get the Potomac two step.
I an my family send you the best wishes for your safety and happiness.
May your house and you always be yours and safe.
This is off topic, but I think right on target.
I would like to post it here with your indulgence.
A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A Soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light.
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My Dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,'
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own Son in more than a while,
But my Wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American Flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that This Flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?"
"It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.
Anon,
Thank you, I try my best.
Strykeraunt,
Yes, the names mean nothing to you, but a lot to me. I shall write a post about how a feel about them, probably on Sunday. Hope it comes useful.
Original Jeff,
Well, corruption right now is the lest of our worries, although it is evident that there is a lOT of it in Iraq now, and most of them are still above the law.
Dear Mark,
Yes the process is very similar, execpt that during the voting day. The security measurments here are probably a lot tighter.
Dear Chele,
Yes, and they are driving me crazy. The posters I mean.
Hala,
Yes I agree with the others, most probably Al-Sadr is with the 555 list. Which in my opinion is going to make Iraq an Islamic country just like Iran.
Laminar,
It is a mess out here. From racism to fraude, you get them all. And from all a governemt shall be elected in a few days. Hope it can be better than the last one.
Papa,
Well, your poem is very nice, and I will allow it, but please don't get used to it.
Hassan,
Iraqthemodel posted that Sadr also may have candidates on the 631 list as well in case you or your readers are interested in knowing who NOT to vote for...
Hassan:
I have been wondering what is going on with Iraqi student movement? I mean, why wouldn't you (Iraqi Students)voice your genuine voice as Iraqi young generation on what is going on in your country? Look at China and Indonesia ... the students are the agent of change and I trust you are capable of doing so rather than wait and see your country being governed (not to say 'invaded') by other countries.
Good luck Hassan and hope you are inspired.
Hassan:
I have been wondering what is going on with Iraqi student movement? I mean, why wouldn't you (Iraqi Students)voice your genuine voice as Iraqi young generation on what is going on in your country? Look at China and Indonesia ... the students are the agent of change and I trust you are capable of doing so rather than wait and see your country being governed (not to say 'invaded') by other countries.
Good luck Hassan and hope you are inspired.
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