Iraqis and Iraq’s Parliamentary Elections – 2014 “Why Is It Important for Iraqi Citizens to Vote?”

“The process of evolution always seeks a higher truth” Talia 2012
Under a democratic system, and what Iraq has been trying to accomplish in the past decade, the elections is where the public votes political officials into office. Thus, voting allows citizens to take part in the political process and elect officials that they think will make sound decisions that will represent the values of their country.

Historical Significance – Having no prior historical election processes in place, Iraqis must make contributions to building a historical “democratic” monument based on exercising their “protected” constitutional right to vote this April.

Right as a Citizen – For the first time in Iraq’s history since 2003, following the toppling of its former president, Saddam Hussein, a man popularly known for having ruled the country “with an iron fist “ for over 30 years, voting has become a national right and an obligation of every Iraqi citizen to exercise in casting their ballots for the best possible politicians who afford their most basic needs, such as water and electricity shortages, food and medicine supply, to their most fundamental requirements, mainly an education system that will guarantee them a better life.

Maintain Democracy – In order for Iraq to maintain its claim to be moving towards a democratic society, citizens “must” partake a role in the election process in order for their voice to be “collectively” heard. Similarly, it is in the very act of casting a ballot that they will be showing their interest in the process of choosing just “which” public officials should represent them, instead of being given to them. Low voter turnout suggests that the population is content with the status quo, or would rather have a small group of individuals make decisions for them.

Influence Domestic Public Policy – Voting for government officials means that these offices control policies that directly benefit the Iraqi public. Thus, it follows that voting gives the public an opportunity to elect an official that will make the changes that they want to see come to fruition in their country.

Democracy in action – Despite having the most ancient civilization in the world, democracy, like any other system, takes time to process, and in Iraq it is still in the infancy stage, especially for a people that historically have been given a ruler until his death [or a revolution], who otherwise has remained in power, for better or for worst.

Iraq and out of country elections – Today, it is estimated that nearly half of Iraq’s population is living abroad; therefore, all Iraqi nationals are encouraged to vote.

The Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq has advised that out of country voting for Iraqi nationals will take place at various polling stations located in major metropolitan cities and states throughout United States – Chicago, California, Michigan, Texas, Arizona, Washington, D.C. and Tennessee.

On April 30, 2014, vote to rebuild Iraq!

~ Helen Talia, MBA, CPA
Phoenix
March 24, 2014

Photo courtesy of IHEC, iraqyembassy.us