Iraqi voters 'misled by empty promises', activists say
Iraqi voters 'misled by empty promises', activists say
Electoral candidates' promises to enhance the country's economy and increase job opportunities are deceiving and 'clear violations' according to Iraqi MPs
2 min read
One activist says four electoral cycles wouldn't be enough to fix the country's economy, as Iraqi voters show their inked fingers after casting their ballots in Sunday's election [Getty]
electoral voters are being manipulatedÌýby the "unrealistic promises" madeÌýby political candidates in the, whichÌýexceed the country'sÌý capabilities, Iraqi political analystsÌýand activists have told °®Âþµº's Arabic-language siteÌýAl-Araby Al-Jadeed.
Iraqis headed on Sunday to polling stations across the country to take part in early elections, in whichÌýthe majority of Ìýhave made promises on economic and social reforms, including fighting unemployment and , enhancingÌýtheÌýexchange rate of the dinar and building hospitals and nursing homes.
However, political analysts and activists have highlighted that the government,Ìýwhich has declared that theÌýunemployment rate has exceededÌý20 percent,Ìýwere unable to achieve their promisesÌýdue to a struggling economy, and therefore it is unlikely that the election candidates will do so either.
"TheÌýgovernment should have prevented the manipulation of theÌýpeople... rather than let the deception continue", said Iraqi activist Ahmed Haqqi, according to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
"Even if their intentions are true, there is no financial abilityÌýfor the Iraqi state to implement these promises, even if the price of a barrel of oil rises to 150 dollars," Haqqi said.Ìý"The country is restricted by its debts, corruption and heavy crises that are not enough for even fourÌýelectoral cycles to resolve."
Promises for increasing job opportunities are related to the budget law, which the government have confirmed there are no existing vacancies for, explainedÌýmember of the Iraqi parliament'sÌýEconomy and Investment Committee,Ìý Intisar Al-Jubouri.
"They are clear violations, and voters can file complaints in cases where they are offered [false]Ìýfinancial temptations in exchange for their votes", Al-Jubouri told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
The task of a parliament member is limited to legislation andÌýeconomic promises may be more appropriatelyÌýprovided through local governments, MPÌýAhmed Al-MashadaniÌýtoldÌýAl-Araby Al-Jadeed, stating that current promises made could fall within the framework ofÌý"deceiving the voters".
This comes as many Iraqi'sÌýsay they willÌý, having lost faith in the democratic system brought in by the USÌýinvasion of Iraq in 2003.
Polling stations opened across IraqÌýat 7 a.m. on Sunday and will close at 6 p.m., as at leastÌý167 parties and more than 3,200 candidates competeÌýfor Iraq's 329 seats in parliament, according to the country's election commission.
will be theÌýsixth since the fall of Saddam Hussein after the US-led invasion, whereÌýover 250,000 securityÌýpersonnelÌýhave been tasked with protecting the vote,Ìýincluding army troops andÌýpolice who have been deployed outside of polling stations.
Ìý
