Iraqis show varied reactions to new election law

ARBIL / IraqiNews.com: Iraqis from different provinces welcomed the Iraqi parliament’s decision to resort to an open list electoral system. They said that consensus over the election law is an important step to enhance democracy and stability in Iraq, but some of them criticized the performance of the current Iraqi parliament that passed the bill. Some other Iraqis thought of their relatives abroad, and called for finding a solution to their representation in the upcoming Iraqi parliament that will be elected on Jan. 21, 2009. Bacim Mazori, a civil servant from Arbil city, said that it was important to have consensus over the election bill that was passed, but the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in Iraq should explain many complicated issues in the new law. “The explanation process is important so that the coming election would bring new faces to the parliament,” Mazori told IraqiNews.com news agency. Haji Shafan, a retired teacher from Duhuk province, said that using an open list electoral system is important, but other issues must be solved as well. “Compensatory seats to Iraqis living abroad should be allocated according to their population,” Shafan said. He said that they should feel they have the right to participate in running their country. Kamil Haso, a businessman from Duhuk, is optimistic after the parliament passed the election law. “We hope that the new legislators would be able to re-build the country and improve Iraqis’ living conditions,” Haso said. The same optimism is shared by Jalal Taha, a civil servant in Ninewa province. “We hope that the new election bill will bring good to an Iraq that has grown tired of conflicts,” Taha said. He said that the new Iraqi government that will be elected according to the bill should be aware of the Iraqi people’s suffering. “The new law allows us to choose people that we know, not lists that gave us nothing,” Taha said. Ayman Nadhom, a teacher from Ninewa, said that it was great to achieve a popular demand by endorsing the open list electoral system. “That’s good, but still Iraqis living abroad should get a fair share of seats,” Nadhom said. Although the election bill is an achievement, Mohammed al-Aani, who lives in Arbil city, criticized the performance of the Iraqi parliament and its lawmakers. “Legislators’ performance has not been equal to the privileges they have been getting,” Aani said. Badr Mousa, who also lives in Arbil, agrees with Aani. “Lawmakers should think of the people’s rights before theirs,” Mousa said. He said that they should put the people first, before themselves. However, Samir al-Khayiat, a lawyer from Basra, said that the step of passing the election bill by the parliament is symbolic. “We still have many essential and important problems,” Khayiat said. He said that through the new election law, votes will be lost, and big political blocs would be able to drive the process according to their interests. MH (I)/AmR 2