Source: SIR
Polls open on March 7 for expatriates in the Old Continent Sunday March 7 Iraqi citizens will go to the polls to elect the new national assembly, a major opportunity to promote national reconciliation, as clearly stated by Benedict XVI in Sunday's Angelus: "In the delicate political phase that Iraq is passing through I call upon the civil authorities that they do everything possible to restore security to the population and, especially to the most vulnerable religious minorities. It is my wish that they do not give in to the temptation to allow the temporary and special interests prevail over the safety and the fundamental rights of every citizen".
The international community will closely monitor elections with 120 EU observers under the aegis of the UN. Voters include Iraqi expatriates and those living in neighboring countries, notably Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Following the request of the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will provide assistance in electoral fields. Until December 2009 some 300,000 Iraqis in the region have registered with UNHCR (210,000 in Syria), 190,000 of whom are eligible voters. The number of Iraqis living in the region is much higher, since, for various reasons, thousands of them don't register with UNHCR.
Europe's Iraqis to the polls.
Iraqis will also vote in Europe. "Iraq's electoral Commission established that the Iraqi community could cast its vote only in those Countries with more than 5thousand expatriates. Iraqis living in Italy will have to go to other countries where polling stations have been set up such as Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands, while the large Iraqi community in Norway will vote in Sweden. Voters must be over 18 and have a valid Iraqi document. These elections are important, let us hope that everything will proceed smoothly, untainted by acts of violence", Omar Taha, from the embassy of the Republic of Iraq to the Holy See, told SIR Europe.
Difficulties in reaching the polls.
There are high expectations regarding the vote of diaspora Iraqis, as stated by father Philip Najim, Chaldean procurator to the Holy See and visitor for Europe. "Approximately one million Iraqis live in the Old Continent - he told SIR Europe - but it's hard to obtain accurate figures to this regard. Some one hundred thousand are Chaldeans, with Christians from other denominations, but the great majority of Iraqis are Muslim". Also all eligible voters, said the Chaldean procurator, "can cast their vote in the polling stations set up by Iraq's electoral Commission across European nations, notably in those countries with high numbers of Iraqi residents, such as England, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Greece, The Netherlands and France". "Unfortunately - said Fr. Najim - I have been receiving complaints from Iraqis since following the decision of the Commission, polling stations have been set up at a distance from areas densely populated by Iraqis, who are thus forced to cover long distances and spend money to cast their vote". In fact, half of the overall one million Iraqi immigrants in Europe have arrived only a few years ago, between 2003 and 2004. They are not yet integrated fully and thus don't yet have a stable and remunerated job that could account for these expenses. "For example, the majority of Iraqi Christians live in Stockholm - some 2000 families (out of 10 thousand faithful) and those of them who wish to go to the polls will need to go to Malmoe, near Copenhagen".
Great expectations.
For father Najim, "the electoral organization risks failing to promote high turnouts. And this is bad since there is a right to vote and citizens ought to be put in the conditions of exerting it". "In Sunday's Angelus the Holy Father called upon Christians to be 'a ferment for good for the homeland to which, for centuries, you have rightfully belonged', and to responsibly take part in the political and social life of the Country. A single list of Christian candidates in the elections would have been a strong sign of unity, but unfortunately it was not possible". Despite local difficulties, concluded the Chaldean priest, "I expect high turnouts in the polls also in Europe. Iraqi immigration in EU Countries is still recent; many immigrants have remained bound to their own homeland and view elections as a tool to promote a different and better Iraq, where they could return to live. But it won't be possible unless the international community has a clear plan for Iraq". According to a recent survey of the governmental agency National Media Center, 63% of Shiites and 58% of Sunnis are expected to go to the polls. High electoral attendance is expected from the Curds 67%, and very high among Christians and Turkomen, both with 80%. Out 6200 candidates running in 306 lists, 48 Christian candidates will run for 5 seats, which according to the enforced Constitution, are reserved to Christian minority representatives.
