In 2005 the majority of people in Salahuddin province boycotted elections and the political process. This year, all groups are participating and Niqash met Hatem Hathal, head of the province’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to discuss preparations.

Niqash: Can you give us an idea about the different entities participating in the election in this province?

Hathal: There are 45 political entities competing for 28 seats in Salahuddin’s provincial council, including eight individual entities, nine alliances and 28 coalitions. The IHEC has completed all preparations for the holding of the forthcoming elections to the full satisfaction of all political entities.

Niqash: What is the total number of candidates?

Hathal: There are more than 614 candidates, including 155 women. Female participation in this election is very strong, especially with the quota system which makes it impossible for any political entity to join if the quota is not respected.

Niqash: How would you describe turnout at voter registration centers?

Hathal: I believe there is a strong and distinguished turnout in contrast with previous elections which were widely boycotted. 650,000 voters have registered at the 18 centers distributed across the districts. The IHEC has set up 276 polling centers.

Niqash: What is the nature of participating lists and which are the most important ones?

Hathal: As expected, participating political entities come from different backgrounds. There are the Islamic and the secular parties and it is difficult to speculate which movement will receive more support, especially because the previous elections were widely boycotted. I want to stress that these elections are different and that no one party can monopolize all votes.

Niqash: Are the Kurdish lists expected to win as many seats as they did in previous elections?

Hathal: Certainly there are Kurdish lists participating in the forthcoming elections because there are Kurds living in Salahuddin, and especially in Tuz Khurmatu district. Kurdish representatives won the lion's share in previous elections – 10 seats - and the reason was the Arab boycott. Today Arabs in the different areas and districts want to participate in the elections and it is not easy to predict results.

Niqash: In your preparations have you asked for the help of civil society organizations?

Hathal: Civil society organizations contribute by spreading election awareness in the province through media activities and workshops. There are four organizations cooperating with the IHEC. They also publish leaflets and organize seminars in all the province’s districts.

Niqash: What about security measures against al-Qaeda which is based in parts of Salahuddin?

Hathal: We are in direct contact with the province’s security forces. An operation command was created to address this issue and special measures will be taken before the election. In general, the conditions in Salahuddin are stable.

Niqash: Do you expect acts of fraud similar to those which occurred during the last election?

Hathal: Control procedures are different in these elections. There are approximately 40,000 trained observers distributed across the different provinces. There are also observers from political groups, civil society organizations and the UN. With these measures in place, I believe that acts of fraud will be very limited.

Niqash: Do you expect major changes in the province?

Hathal: There is no doubt that the province will witness significant change following the election. People who previously distanced themselves from the political process will choose their candidates after thorough and thoughtful examination. This will positively impact the city on the services as well the political level. And this is why we are very optimistic.