After years of political instability and Saddam Hussein’s genocide of primairly the Kurds along with American warfare added with the constant threat of civil war nudged by civil unrest, Iraq as a country will be attempting what many other nations in history have attempted and succeeded or failed at. Becoming a democracy.

Three to six years ago, some would have simply scoffed at the notion of the country being stable enough to install polls and valid candidates to pull out democracy out of the hat. Others would’ve leaned forward and silently observed the potenital of an Iraqi democracy in the near future. Now with the oncoming of Iraq’s second parliamentary election since the year of 2005, many anticipate and hope for the first Arabian democracy to spring up.

The big question is: Can Iraq become a democracy? Merely a couple of centuries ago, America an infant country amazed some of the world’s largest powers by showing peaceful transition of power when former President George Washington stepped down in order for John Adams to succeed as President, an achievement that had eluded many empires and European countries with monarchies at their lead.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, may be re-elected to his office this election.

Some signs in Iraq point to – Yes, Iraq could become a democracy, a country for its people.

Ayad Allawi, former interim Prime Minister of Iraq.

Approximately 19 million voters will start streaming towards the polls tommorow both nation and world-wide. There is reason for much optimism as opposed to the 2005 Iraqi elections neither Sunni nor Shi’ite Moslems will boycott the elections. Furthermore honest or as honest political competition can be is ‘healthy’ despite Iraq’s position as the fourth most corrupt country on Earth. It is noted that the multiple political parties will have to fight it out in order to win trust from other smaller parties and gain popularity with the public. The main players of the Iraqi polls are the popular Ayad Allawi who promotes nationalism despite religious differences, current Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki who largely cooperated with the U.S and made vast security improvements, and other political groups that have some religious influence.

Meanwhile, there are still the twin concerns of the future political balance and al-Qaeda’s threats to Iraqi security. 

Amazingly and somewhat predictably, the al-Qaeda imposed their own curfew (showing off “authority”) in Iraq on election day (Sunday, March 7th) and declared on the Internet that Moslems who vote will face the wrath of Allah and so on and so on, basically the voters were threatened in the context of religion. Casualties have been low for the most part as a few bombs were set off killing more than 12 people during this week. However, Iraq’s security has been beefed up and their 1 million personnel is puffed up with self-confidence and is coated with absolute sureness that they are able to keep voters safe. Northern Iraq is of a primary security concern as Arabs and Kurds are still facing off and have yet to peacefully settle their problems.

Sunni Moslems, the minority in Iraq, might be a bit peeved if they’re not well-represented in the Iraqi government following the elections which may lead to unnecessary public unrest. The elections at this point are not only crucial for Iraq’s future but also for the United States’. If the elections go smoothly and there is a peaceful transition of power, then the U.S forces stationed in Iraq will go home quicker this year and the U.S government will also achieve one of their goals in the Middle East, an ideal and democratic Iraq. Things are looking out to be very hopeful.

- Indigneous

3/5/10