Iraqis Vote for Pluralism, Democracy

Iraqis have cast an extraordinary vote. Preliminary results suggest that the people are motivated more by pragmatism than by religion and tribalism.

In a first-ever nationwide poll in 14 of the 18 provinces, which were widely acknowledged as transparent and peaceful, Iraqis have pinned their hopes in a secular and development-oriented agenda by allaying fears of the country’s Balkanization on ethnic and sectarian lines.

The most stunning aspect of the verdict has been the emergence of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki as a national leader. While not a candidate himself, Maliki’s State of Law alliance triumphed in nine of the 14 provinces. It is no less than a surprise that voters have returned Shia candidates who campaigned against various militias of the same sect that had literally ruled the streets in the post-Saddam era — plunging the country in a three-year long civil war.

The vote has also come as a blow to Iraq’s biggest Shia party — the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, and the resurgent Mehdi Militia of Moqtada Al Sadr. So strong has been the passion of Iraqis to vote for liberal and pro-reconciliation candidates that Maliki’s and nationalist candidates routed powerful pro-clerical candidates in the Shia fiefdoms of Najaf, Kufa and Karbala.

Maliki’s most formidable strength has been standing up to the United States, and persuading Washington that a relationship based on sovereign equality is more viable than occupation of the country.

Moreover, his politics of compromise with the Sunnis and roadmap of reconciliation with all those who can lend a helping hand in rebuilding a new Iraq has won him the mantle of a national leader.

Even in Sunni and Kurdish-populated areas, the vote has widely been in favour of those who talked about autonomy and reforms, as well as reconciliation for building a harmonious Iraq. As a prelude to national elections later this year, around 55 per cent of the eligible voters have cast their vote against the once resurgent trends of sectarianism and parochialism.

A new paradigm is emerging whereby pluralism and development are the hallmarks. The country, however, now faces a tough task of balancing the aspirations of all those who have voted in favour of a more democratic Iraq. Reconciliation and reformation should be the new political format, and the need of the hour for the leadership is to see to it that the country doesn’t slide back into recrimination and chaos.