Iraqi expats vote for a ‘change for the better’

According to the organisers, they expect all 25,000 eligible Iraqi voters in the UAE to have voted by 7pm when the polling closes.

Voters turn up in large numbers at Capital’s polling station at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Iraqi expatriates in the Capital turned up in large numbers to cast votes in their country’s general election on Monday.

Iraqi expatriates waiting at the polling station in Abu Dhabi on Monday for their turn to vote in the parliamentary elections of their country. — KT photo by Nezar Balout

Voters started trickling in when polling began at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) at 9am and numbers started swelling within the next few hours. According to the organisers, they expect all 25,000 eligible Iraqi voters in the UAE to have voted by 7pm when the polling closes.

“So far, the turnout has been far greater compared to yesterday (Sunday). Today we ... (saw) ... voters showing lots of enthusiasm and interest in the election. By evening, when the polling closes, we expect the 25,000 (eligible) voters out of 52,000 Iraqis in the UAE to have ... (exercised) ... their right to ... (vote),” Dr Omar Al Hadithi, head of the Electoral Committee in the UAE, told Khaleej Times.

In Iraq, people will go to polls on Wednesday.

Al Hadithi said people from remote areas like Al Ain also turned up in big numbers to have their say in determining the leadership of their home country. Eligible voters who visited Adnec expressed optimism and said they hoped for a “change for the better” in Iraq when a new government is formed.

Showing his inked thumb, Rahed Al Hajjaj said he was “very happy” to have participated in this important third general election. “I see this election as much more important and crucial than the earlier one. In the last election, we had (a) bad experience, which resulted in a disaster and (a) bad government. But this time, we see a ray of hope for a change for the better and a bright future for Iraq and its people,” he said.

Al Hajjaj said the entire country wants a change for the better. “We want and need change, and we (will be) able to bring that change. After the election, when a new government takes over, our first priority should be the reconstruction of the country’s economy and infrastructure. We also need to (improve) ... the reputation of the country, which has been damaged by the (present) government,” he added.

Ahmed Hassan, an Iraqi architect, echoed similar sentiments. “Of course every election is important, even if one does not know who to vote for or who will win. Participation of voters in an election is the foundation of a future government.”

When asked what changes he expects after this election, he said different people have different expectations. “No one can expect immediate change, but taking part in election is a right to expression that everyone must have,” he said.

Another voter, who wished to remain anonymous, said he came to vote because voting is the duty of every Iraqi. “Everyone who is eligible must come out and use their right to vote. Those who stay away from votes are not loyal to their country,” he stressed.

“After this election, I hope my country will return to its glorious days,” he added.

nissar@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE