Iraqi Elections and its Influence on The Development and stability

Abstract

On November 2003, the US Coalition Provisional Authority had announced plans to turn over sovereignty to an Iraqi Interim Government by mid-2004. The actual transfer of sovereignty occurred on 28 June 2004. The interim president installed was Sheikh Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer, and the interim prime minister was Iyad Allawi.The voting represented the first general elections since the United States-led 2003 invasion on Iraq, and marked an important step in the transition of turning over control of the country from United States occupation forces to the Iraqis themselves. The elections was seen by some as a victory for democracy in the Middle East, but that opinion was not shared by all, especially as most of the Arab Sunna. Two parties supported by the majority Shi'a (or Shiite) Muslim community between them won the majority of seats, while parties representing the Kurdish community also strongly represented. Parties representing the Sunni Arab community boycotted the elections and some armed Sunni groups threatened Election Day with violence. There were 44 deaths around polling stations in at least 9 separate attacks on Election Day. With a total of some 8.4 million votes cast, a 58% turnout, the Iraqi Electoral Commission considered the elections have taken place without major disruption. Voter turnout ranged from 89% in the Kurdish region of Dahuk to two percent in the Sunni region of Anbar. A parliamentary election was held in Iraq on 7 March 2010. The election decided the 325 members of the Council of Representatives of Iraq who will elect the Iraqi Prime Minister and President. The election resulted in a partial victory for the Iraqi National Movement, led by former Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, which won a total of 91 seats, making it the largest alliance in the Council. The State of Law Coalition, led by incumbent Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, was the second largest grouping with 89 seats.