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Kurdistan Elections Begin to Sizzle
4.7.2009
By Shkow Sharif - opinion |
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July
4, 2009
SULAIMANIYAH,
Kurdistan region 'Iraq', — The buzz of
electioneering is certainly in the Kurdish air. It
is impossible to go half an hour without hearing a
campaign anthem or seeing an election slogan. Young
and old have poured onto the streets of Kurdistan in
support of their lists and vehicles kitted to suit.
But week two of campaigning has been important for
numerous reasons; first, this week has seen the
money poured into the campaigns by the ‘Kurdistani’
list bare its fruit and consequently has given them
a comfortable lead in the polls.
Second, it has seen a slowing of momentum from
Nawshirwan Mustafa’s ‘Change’ list as they seem to
have been sidetracked by the passing of the
Kurdistan Draft Constitution. Third, this week has
witnessed the first rumblings of violence and unrest
between the supporters of the two leading lists.
Lastly, it has seen the Kurdistan Presidential
Elections gain in momentum with cross candidate
planning.
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This week has seen the
‘Kurdistani’ list’s financial wealth capitalise the
campaigning process. The ‘Kurdistani’ list has used
this week to strengthen their already strong
celebrity endorsement. Along with the famous Kurdish
Singer Aziz Wayse’s support, who according to street
hearsay has been paid $200,000 to record a song for
the list, the ‘Kurdistani’ list has this week been
able to spend more money to gain the support of
famous stars from hit Kurdish television shows Mn
Jyawazm and Barnamay Barnama,. Moreover, they have
also enlisted the support of many other famous
musicians such as Chopey Fatah and Hany.
The ‘Kurdistani’ lists experience in electioneering
has also helped them to bolster their position this
week. They have engaged in many symbolic events such
as, mass rallies, progressive television addresses,
speeches and they have also used general political
issues to strengthen their image. These political
issues include the governments passing of the Draft
Kurdish Constitution, the American withdrawal from
Iraqi towns and cities, Iraqi oil issues and the
bombings in Kirkuk. All in all week two it seems has
served the ‘Kurdistani’ list very well.
The ‘Change’ list, on the other hand, contrary to
what many of their candidates will tell you, have
not been able to perform a repeat of their first
week’s successes. This many argue is down to a
number of key issues. Firstly,www.ekurd.net
one of the major reasons
has been that the rushed passing of the Kurdistan
Draft Constitution and the introduction of its
referendum to the July 25th already planned
elections had steered the “Change” list into two
directions. (a) They need to gain as many seats as
possible in the KRG and (b) Due to disagreements
with articles in the constitution they have to
campaign to force its failure at the referendum
phase. This has stretched the “Change” lists
resources and has forced them to fall behind in Week
Two.
Second, week two has seen the “Change” list
completely outspent by the Kurdistani list forcing
the
“Change” list 
to hit their airwaves to fundraise for their
movement.
Third, the “Change” list has yet to put
Nawshirwan Mustafa
in front of a live audience which has thus far been
avoided. Nawshirwan Mustafa so far only sends out a
daily pre-recorded message through his TV and Radio
stations directly to his supporters.
And lastly, there is an argument running the rounds
in Iraqi Kurdistan that the “Change” list may have
played their cards to early in the process. There
big push in week one seems to have eaten into their
funds. Halwest Subhi for instance,www.ekurd.net
a keen young supporter
of the “Change” list tells the blog that he wants to
support the “Change” list but any time he approaches
their offices they seem to be out of merchandise to
help him push their message to others. Having said
this, the ‘Change’ list’s support is still strong
and causing commotion for the ‘Kurdistani’ list.
What they must do in week three is push to win
support amongst the undecided voters. The candidates
need to spend much more time addressing the Kurdish
people directly by spending more time outside of
their bases.
Week two is also the first time supporters clashed
with each other and with riot police in
Sulaimaniyah. This raises the question of what this
squaring off will come too on results day. Will
either list reject the result? How will they reject
it? This is an issue worth keeping note of as we
move past the halfway point and close in on Election
Day.
The final point worth discussing is that the tail
end of this week has seen the Kurdistan Presidential
Elections heat up. There have been negotiations
among the four challenging presidential candidates,www.ekurd.net
although according to
some reports not successful, to come together and to
put forward only one candidate to go up against
Massoud Barzani in order to strengthen the
challengers vote. This is an issue to keep an eye on
as we move into week three.
Copyright, respective author or news agency,
krgelections2009 blogspot.com
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