Statement of the Higher Commission for Municipal Elections

Following are the results of the Municipal Elections
conducted in Iraqi Kurdistan on 26 May 2001

According to law no. 6 (1993), Law of Administration of Municipalities, and article-21 of Order no. 1 (2001) issued by the Council of Ministers, the Order regarding elections and announcement of results for mayors and members of municipal councils in the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Higher Commission headed by Mr. Sami Abdul Rahman, Deputy Prime Minister in the Council of Ministers, with members Mr. Fadhil Merani, Minister of the Interior; Mr. Mamun Brifkani, Minister of Municipalities & Tourism; Mr. Hadi Ali, Minister of Justice; Mr. Akram Mantik, Governor of Erbil; Mr. Nechirvan Ahmed, Governor of Duhok; Mr. Haji Mohamed Tahir, Attorney General; and Dr. Sahib Kharaman, head of the Regional Statistics Office; met for the twelfth time on 27 May, 2001.

On 16 April 2001, the Commission began according to the above Order to organize the process of municipal council elections. To supervise the election process, the Commission formed a number of legal committees headed by judges, deputy attorney generals, and judge investigators. These committees began their duties on time according to the Order under the direction of the Higher Supervisory Commission headed by a judge.

At eight o'clock on the morning of 26 May, 2001 the process of voting promptly started at all election centers and continued up to eight o'clock in the evening of the same day, according to article-16 of the Order. As required by some election centers to meet the need of the voters, time was extended up to ten o'clock of the same day.

The election process was very well organized, including the preparation of computerized lists of eligible voters, official ballot papers and ballot boxes, and met the requirements of staff working in the election centers. In addition to managing the process properly, good attention was given to maintaining law and order and a high level of cooperation among voting staff at the election centers.

The election took place in a very calm and democratic environment, and in a fair manner. Voting secrecy was promoted by the use of proper voting booths with the presence of observers at all election centers plus an election observation committee composed of staff members of both Salahaddin and Duhok Universities and staff members of the international community. All observers had the opportunity to perform their functions satisfactorily.

We gladly acknowledge that citizens participated enthusiastically with a heavy turnout to elect their representatives to the municipal councils. In addition to exercising their legal democratic rights, they once again expressed their confidence in the Kurdistan Regional Government experiment. They proved their support for progress in the democratic process and that the interests of the people are above all other considerations.

It was observed that, in general, illiterate people followed the advice of the Commission; family members accompanied many to complete the ballots for them. The freedom of voting for these citizens was thus insured according to their will.

This Commission observed that all committees in the region and all election centers respected the rules and instructions of the election, particularly the closing and opening of the ballot boxes, observing the maximum limit of confidentiality in the process of voting, counting the votes in a transparent manner, and preparing signed minutes of committee meetings declaring the results of the election.

Immediately after the completion of the extended time for voting, the committees in the election centers, in a transparent manner and in the presence of representatives of the candidates, started the process of counting the votes. The committees, according to article-9 of the Order, forwarded official minutes of meetings containing the results to the Higher Commission for Municipal Elections.

We gratefully acknowledge with thanks the contribution of all respected judges, deputies of the attorney general, judge investigators, lawyers, representatives of parties, and all the men and women who participated in voting and counting who offered their best efforts to accomplish this process in a professional manner.

According to article-21 of the Order, the Higher Commission for Municipal Elections hereby announces the names of candidates who succeeded to be elected as mayors and members of municipal councils.

Signed by:

Mr. Sami Abdul Rahman
Deputy Prime Minister
Council of Ministers
Head of Higher Commission for
Municipal Elections

Mr. Fadhil Merani
Minister of Interior
Member

Mr. Nechirvan Ahmed
Governor of Duhok
Member

Mr. Akram Mantik
Governor of Erbil
Member

Sheikh Mamun Brifkani
Minister of Municipalities & Tourism
Member

Mr. Hadi Ali
Minister of Justice
Member

Mr. Haji Akrayee
Head of Attorney General's Office
Member

Dr. Sahib Khraman
Head of Regional Statistic Office
Member

Top