....or so I thought!
After just coming home from touring the many neighborhoods of Sulaimani, the streets are a-buzz with last minute preparations for our elections.
As everyone knows, this Saturday, July 25, we are having elections in the Kurdistan Region for the legislature in Parliament—representing another step in our journey toward democracy, and the Presidency of the Region. When the votes are counted, there will be a higher percentage of female legislators than in any other region in the world, outside of Rwanda and some of the Nordic nations.
The campaigns of the various slates and entities running in the elections have ranged from the sophisticated, to the most basic form of grassroots advocacy. The spirit has been high (sometimes a little too high), but all in all the process has been a joy to watch and be part of. Kurds, young and old, warrior and student, have taken to the streets to campaign for their candidates of choice. While there have been some disturbances, by and large the atmosphere has been festive, while at the same time, fiercely competitive.
Already hundred of international observers and reporters have arrived, and we’ve encouraged election monitors from all over the world to attend—including those from the International Federal of Election Systems and individuals from American University in the United States.
We in the Kurdistan Region look forward to what’s ahead—and expect a more than 80 percent turnout, an impressive amount for any democracy. Election fever has indeed gripped the Region. Be sure to keep an eye out for how the election unfolds.
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