The spokesman of the Kirkuk-Garmyan Provincial Organizing Bureau of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), identified two reasons that he believes will increase their votes in this election, including his party's return to Kirkuk after the events of October 16, 2017 and the strong candidates warmly welcomed by their supporters
Luqman Hussein said this in an exclusive interview with KirkukNow about the issue of the Iraqi parliamentary elections in Kirkuk and the issue of disagreements among the candidates of his party.
KirkukNow: We are facing elections. Of course, the Iraqi parliamentary elections for the Kurds in the disputed territories are very different from the Kurdistan Region.
Luqman Hussein: Of course, every election is important, but when it is in Baghdad and Kirkuk will be twice as important, both to show and strengthen the Kurdish position in Baghdad, and prove the Kurdish identity of Kirkuk.
It is important to work to consolidate the principles of federalism in this session of the Iraqi parliament, which has made balance, partnership and compromise the slogan of the elections and make it the basis for correcting the course of governance in Baghdad.
Therefore, if the balance, partnership and compromise is not implemented in Baghdad, it will be very difficult for this country to continue in this way. If this demand is not implemented in Baghdad, it will be difficult for this country to continue in this way.
KirkukNow: As you know, some of the voters, especially the Kurds of Kirkuk, live in Sulaimaniya and Erbil. Do you have any data how any they are and how they will vote?
Luqman Hussein: For the displaced in Sulaimaniya and Erbil, we have a comprehensive program to facilitate them to be present on election day. The people of Kirkuk are eager to participate in this election because there is a great conflict in this city. According to our organizations, between 15,000 and 20,000 KDP voters live in Kurdistan Region cities.
KirkukNow: Let's go back to Kirkuk. Do you think the (KDP) will increase its votes compared to the previous elections? If so, by what measure?
Luqman Hussein: Based on the polls we have conducted; we are sure that the KDP's vote will increase. There are many reasons for the increase in the KDP's vote, one of which is the return of the KDP to the city and the opening of its headquarters in a large mass carnival with the Kurdistan flag. The second reason is the warm reception of our candidates by a huge public gathering.
We have 24 candidates in Kirkuk and we are sure that our votes will increase.
KirkukNow: The number of votes increases is not guarantee for more seats. So how many votes do you expect the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to get at best?
Luqman Hussein: Of course, this is very true, taking into account the rule of Saintl-Lague, we see in the provincial council elections, Nawa-i-New (The New Generation) lost more than 20,000 votes. As for how many seats the KDP will win, it depends partly on the turnout, so it is very difficult to predict how many seats it will win, but I expect the turnout to be higher than in the previous elections.
KirkukNow: As you know, the electoral system is designed in the interest of the majority. How many seats do you think the Kurds will lose?
Luqman Hussein: The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has always supported a single list. Our delegation met not only with the PUK but also with other Kurdish parties to ensure that the Kurds participate in the elections with a single list inside and outside Kurdistan region but the PUK preferred to participate in separate lists.
KirkukNow: Recently, there was a riot during the KDP's election campaign in Kirkuk. Can you explain what happened? Did you investigate the incident as a party and what did you find out?
Luqman Hussein: What happened is normal because List 275 held the biggest election campaign carnival attended by more than 10,000 of our members and supporters, which was unexpected. When some of the crowd approached the stage of the carnival, a couple of aerial shots were fired to control the situation and prevent chaos.
KirkukNow: But Shakhawan Abdullah, the leader of the list, was not present at the recent meeting of the KDP leadership council with the candidates. Does it have anything to do with the tension that some of Shakhawan Abdullah's guards have been arrested?
Luqman Hussein: Mr. Shakhawan's absence was not intentional. He is a member of the central committee, deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament and deputy head of the organizing bureau of our party in Baghdad.
KirkukNow: It is felt that the KDP, like the PUK, is soft-spoken against the Arabs and Turkmen in its campaign, as it is not before. Why is this? Is it a coincidence or is there an understanding with the components?
Luqman Hussein: Under the guidance of Mr. President (Masoud Barzani), we are all committed to conducting a peaceful campaign, away from defamation, tension and media attacks in order to conduct a good election environment. Our party will not give up Kirkuk, for which it has sacrificed a revolution in the city, and now we are working to implement Article 140 because this is the natural and legal solution to the fate of the region.
Kirkuk has a Kurdish identity and we will not discuss this issue with anyone. We are not against anyone and we believe in brotherhood and unity. We want to transfer the experience of stability and prosperity of the Kurdistan Region to Kirkuk in order to have a bright future, this is the worldview of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) for Kirkuk. We also believe in differences with other parties, but we can work together within a national framework.
