Protesting against election results is unconstitutional, says Iraqi politician

Democratic elections normally lead to stability and a smooth transfer of power. But not in Iraq.

The results of the latest elections may lead to violence and instability in a country torn by wars and civil strife.

The President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Noor al-Maliki both dispute the results and have called for a recount. This is strongly supported by the Chairs of the provincial councils for nine provinces; Baghdad, Al-Qadesia, Najaf, Karbala, Babil, Basra, Wasit, Dhi Qar, and Al-Muthana, as it is stated by the Chair of Basra Provincial Council- Mr. Jabar Ameen- in a Press Conference conducted post a meeting held for the Chairs of those nine provinces, in Al-Basra Provincial Council Building. He has further asserted on the necessity of the positive reply of the Election Commission for these demands, and recount the manual excreating of the votes, under the monitor of international experts, and representatives of political blocs.

The likely winners and the independent commission supervising the elections say that is almost impossible to do.

And demonstration against the results have swept at least two provinces in southern Iraq.

The Iraqi Bloc, garnering the largest number of votes so far, has described those demonstrations as illegal and unconstitutional.

“The demonstrations are a coup against democracy,” said Jamal Bateeh of the Iraqi Bloc.

Their rivals, who are apparently stunned by the results, say demonstrating is a constitutional right.

It is most likely that the results of the elections will not be respected in Iraq although the major groups, the State of Law and the Iraqi Bloc are both head by Shiite Muslims.

But the differences between them are too wide. The head of the Iraqi Bloc is of secular tendencies and has garnered the largest support mainly among Sunni-dominated provinces.

The head of the State of Law, the outgoing prime minister, is seen by many as of sectarian orientations.

The electoral commission sees the demonstration as “politicized” and has called on all parties to accept the results. So far up to 95 per cent of the vote has been counted.

The problem in Iraq is that almost all political factions have military wings with tens if not hundreds of thousands heavily armed militias.