iraq election

Iraq election: In Syria, disillusioned refugees trudge to the polls

Candidates in the Iraq election have focused attention on Syria, which has the largest number of Iraqi expatriates. Sunni candidates in particular are seeking out extra support, given Iraq's Shiite-dominated politics. I do not know if I will ever be able to go back, but I am interested in the future of my country,” said Fadwa Saidiya, a refugee from Baghdad who says she voted for current Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki.

Indeed, polling stations in Damascus reported good turnout today, the first day for expatriates in 16 countries outside Iraq to cast their ballots. Because Syria is home to the largest population of Iraqis outside Iraq, candidates have focused their attention here. The Sunni minority in Iraq is especially interested in out-of-country voting, believing that many of those who fled to Syria are Sunni and will act as a counterweight to votes cast for Shiite parties.

In the suburb of Jaramana, voters say they are rooting for the secular Iraqiya movement, seen as the best of a bad bunch.



“Iraq has been torn apart by religious and ethnic tensions,” says Ahmad, a former security guard from Baghdad. “We need a change of government and I think this is our best option.”
Turnout better than expected

No official figures for Friday's turnout are yet available, but election observers say a substantial number of voters showed up.

“We opened at 8 a.m. and so far [mid-afternoon], I have been surprised by how many people have come,” said Nassar Hemood, an observer from the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) stationed in Saida Zeinab, a suburb of Damascus with a high Iraqi population.

But despite the positive signs, many Iraqi refugees in Syria said they had no plans to vote – even those aiming to return to Iraq if the security situation improves.

“Firstly, Iraq is controlled by Iran, not the voters,” said Haidar, an engineer from Baghdad. He is not voting and did not want to give his last name. “Secondly, I would rather vote for a politician who said he would steal $1 million from the people rather than any of the others who pledge to serve the people and then embezzle $8 million.”vv