Issue #123, December 15 2008, www.niqash.org (*Arabic & Kurdish below)

 

[->] A SELECTION OF REPORTS, COMMENTS AND INTERVIEWS ON THE UPCOMING PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS FROM ACROSS IRAQ

[+] Najaf’s Independents Emerge

 

As campaigning begins in Najaf, observers are pointing to the presence of ‘independent’ candidates, even on religious lists, as the most important new phenomenon. By Faris Harram / Najaf

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2354&lang=0

[+] Anbar’s Islamic Party and Tribes Vie for Power

 

Tribal forces and the incumbent Islamic Party have begun fierce competition for control of Anbar province. By Nirmeen Hamed / Ramadi

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2358&lang=0

[+] Basra’s Dominant Parties Expect to Maintain Power

 

The provincial election will be the first electoral test in this Shiite majority province since Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s massive military campaign against Sadr forces in March 2008. By Saleem al-Wazzan /Basra

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2361&lang=0

[+] Poor Election Turnout Feared

 

In the light of calls to boycott the election as well as popular discontent with the political process, observers worry that Election Day turnout may be unexpectedly weak. By Haydar Najm / Baghdad 

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2350&lang=0

[+] Calls to Postpone Diyala Election

 

Ibrahim Hassan Bajalan, head of Diyala's provincial council, has called on the government to postpone Diyala’s provincial election, saying the province is not ready for elections. By Mohamed Abdallah / Baquba

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2355&lang=0

[+] Daawa-SIIC Conflict Splits Shiite Unity

 

The emerging Shiite political conflict between the ruling Daawa party and the Supreme Iraqi Council (SIIC) in areas south of Baghdad is coming into sharp focus as provincial elections approach.

By Kholoud Ramzi / Karbala

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2344&lang=0

[+] Violence Threatens Mosul Elections

 

Fears are growing that poor security conditions in Ninawa province will prevent a successful election. While the rural districts of the province are witnessing improved conditions, the key city of Mosul remains tense. By Adel Kamal / Mosul

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2356&lang=0

[+] Election Peace Holds in Dhi Qar Province

 

With the supremacy of Shiite parties, the election climate in Dhi Qar is similar to other southern provinces with the same major parties dominating the scene. By Ahmad Thamer Jihad / Nasiriyah

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2359&lang=0

[+] Diyala Sees Early Campaigning

 

Campaigning is underway in the province of Diyala, which is still one of the most volatile and insecure areas of Iraq. By Muhammad Abdallah / Diyala

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2352&lang=0

[+] High Voter Registration in Ninawa 

 

Niqash talks to Abdul-Khaliq Ahmad Dabbagh, director of Ninawa’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) about voter registration and election preparations in his province. By Adel Kamal / Mosul

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2351&lang=0

[+] Full Participation Encourages Election Optimism in Salahuddin

 

In 2005 the majority of people in Salahuddin province boycotted elections. This year, all groups are participating and Niqash meets Hatem Hathal, head of the province’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to discuss preparations. By Umaymah al-Umar / Tikrit

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2353&lang=0

[+] Al-Qadisiyah Gears Up for Elections

 

Political parties in al-Qadisiyah province know that the provincial elections will be a decisive step towards revealing the strength of each bloc in advance of parliamentary elections scheduled for late 2009. By Riyadh al-Sari / Diwaniyah

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2357&lang=0

[+] Election Chief: Karbala Will Witness Real Change

 

Niqash meets Safaa al-Musawi, head of the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in Karbala province, to discuss ongoing preparations for the forthcoming provincial elections. By Kholoud Ramzy / Karbala

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2338&lang=0

 [<->]  WHY VOTE? Videos with young Voters

 

In short video clips 20 young Iraqis express their very personal concerns, visions and expectations on the upcoming provincial elections in Iraq. By Hadi Mahood and Eyad Haman / in partnership with UNDP Iraq.

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/iraqvotes/?cat=5

 

[ (: ]  Daily Audio Reports from all over Iraq

 15 correspondents from all parts of the country report every day on parties and politics, current election developments and background information. The productions are aired daily on radio stations nationwide and are available online. Produced in partnership with UNAMI.

 

Read: http://www.niqash.org/iraqvotes/

 

 

[i] Niqash Weekly is the weekly newsletter of www.niqash.org, the place to debate Iraq.  Niqash is an online publication by MICT, www.mict-international.org .  Niqash is realized in partnership with the German Foreign Office.

 

[s] To subscribe or unsubscribe from Niqash Weekly go to: http://list.niqash.org/list/listinfo/niqash-weekly

 

[:] Check out: IRAQISCOPE, watch and share films from Iraq at www.iraqiscope.org.