In May 2018 Iraqis went to the polls to pick a new government. The results were the lowest turnout since elections started in 2005 and widespread cheating by the ruling parties. The participation rate showed deep cynicism towards the political system, which was confirmed by the fraud that took place. A recent public opinion poll conducted from August to October 2018 pointed to the Iraqi public having little faith in the country’s politics.
Almost three quarters of respondents said they were unhappy
with the May results, nearly two thirds felt they had no say in the nation, and
that was largely because they didn’t trust the results. When asked were people
happy or unhappy with the balloting 71% said they were unhappy versus only 22%
that were satisfied. Kurdistan had the highest positive view and that was only
30%. In Baghdad, the south and the west 70% or more said they didn’t like the
results. When asked whether the election made them feel like they had a voice
in the direction of Iraq 31% said yes and 62% said no. In Baghdad, the south
and the west around 30% felt like they had a say, while in Kurdistan that
dropped to 16%. Finally, there was little faith that the voting was fair with
only 19% saying they were fee. The numbers showed the results of 13 years of
national unity governments, which consistently failed to meet the needs of the
public. They couldn’t prevent two wars, nor provide basic services and adequate
employment for the country despite making huge amounts of money from oil. The
corruption that resulted also undermined support. The result is fewer people
believe in elections and the political process. The low percentages in
Kurdistan also point to general anger Kurds feel towards the federal government
after they seized the disputed territories as a result of the failed
independence referendum last year.
When asked to pick from a list of possible solutions few
believed these problems could be solved. The highest rated issue was to video
record the counting of the ballots. Only 38% felt that would help a great deal
and 65% said it would somewhat help. Hiring an auditing company to monitor the
new electronic voting system that was used in May was second with 36% saying it
would help a great deal. Everything else was at 30% or less such as forming a
special election committee, having the United Nations work with the Iraqi
Election Commission, etc. The belief appears to be that the Iraqi ruling
parties are so entrenched that they cannot be stopped from their holding onto
power by any means necessary so few believed there was a solution to this
dilemma.
Further questions highlighted just how alienated people felt
from their government. Few believed they had an idea what their local and the
federal governments were doing. Only 20% said they believed they knew what
their provincial government was doing and that went down to 18% for the central
government. Again, the general mood was that the public was not being consulted
or informed by the authorities about their actions. People are asked for their
votes, and then the parties go about their business. Democracy is supposed to
be government for and by the people. Iraqis do not feel like that is happening.
Finally, Iraqis did not trust their institutions. The Human
Rights Commission had the highest rating at only 12% saying they trusted it a
lot and 35% somewhat. Next was the justice system at 11%, the district councils
at 8%, the federal government at 7%, the provincial councils at 6% and
parliament at the bottom at 3%. If people didn’t believe in elections and the
political parties there was no reason why they would feel confident in the
government that they run.
The new administration of Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi is
not infusing confidence. It is another national unity government just like all
the others since 2005, but with a major difference. Mahdi didn’t run as a
candidate so he comes from no party, and the winning lists didn’t form an
alliance to create the government. Instead, the two largest lists Moqtada
al-Sadr’s Sairoon and Hadi Amiri’s Fatah formed two separate alliances and
agreed to elect Mahdi, but have disagreed on how to finish his cabinet. With such
low voter turnout, and general alienation the government is not doing anything
to win over the public with strong action. Instead they are arguing amongst
each other just like they always have meaning they are continuing to ignore the
people now that they have their votes.
SOURCES
National Democratic Institute, “Iraqis Call on the New
Government for Jobs, Services, and Reconstruction, August-October 2018 Survey
Findings,” November 2018
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