Voters across the Kurdish region of Iraq went to their local polling stations on Sunday. After casting their vote, they proudly showed their fingers stained with the blue election ink, a symbol of hope in the region and across Iraq.
After a two-year delay, Iraqi Kurds are voting in the region's parliamentary elections for the first time since 2018. At polling stations in the Kurdish capital of Erbil, a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) stronghold, voters expressed a mix of hope and scepticism, weary of a weakening economy, corruption and political rivalry.
Some said it could be the last chance for the political parties, particularly the KDP and rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to improve the situation in the region.
“God willing, these elections will bring the goodness to Kurdistan and the best people to serve its people properly, particularly the Christians,” Saman Yousif, a Christian teacher, told The National after voting in the Christian-majority Ankawa neighbourhood in Erbil.
Mr Yousif, 46, who came with his wife and son, said the elections “could be the last chance for real change” in the region. He expressed frustration over reducing the minority seats saying “the low representation will definitely affect efforts to safeguard the rights of his community”.
An Iraqi Federal Supreme Court ruling in February labelled the 11 minority quota seats as “unconstitutional” but later reinstated five of them. These will be distributed among the Assyrian, Chaldean and Syriac community and the Turkmens.
Using walking canes to reach the booth, Farhad Yousif Goga, 55, said he was voting for change and for a better future for the Kurdish people. “I’m obliged to go out and cast my vote regardless to my situation,” Mr Goga, a restaurant owner, said.
The Kurdish region has been plunged in economic uncertainty over the past two years as the regional government struggles to pay the salaries of civil servants on time, often blaming Baghdad for not sending its share of the revenue.
Baghdad and Erbil have agreed on a mechanism of sending loans to pay civil servants and social services as a way to tackle the budget allocation issue, which stipulates that the region is entitled to its share only when it hands over 400,000 barrels of oil a day to Baghdad. However, Kurdish independent oil exports came to a halt after a Paris arbitration court ruled in favour of a lawsuit filed by Baghdad.
Political disputes and deepening division between the ruling parties have also sparked widespread dissatisfaction.
“We’ve been going through the same sufferings over the past thirty years,” he added, complaining about the widespread nepotism, corruption and economic hardships. He painfully recalled how he was shot in his left leg in 1996 when Saddam Hussein sent his troops to support the KDP against the PUK during the region’s civil war. At that time, he was a policeman before fleeing to Europe.
He returned to the region in 2008 in hope of securing a job. “If you’re not one of them you will not get a job,” the father of two said. “The rule has become akin to monarchy, being inherited."
As a PUK supporter, he believes Bafel Talabani will be able to bring about change. “The one who leads us is a young man just like us and, God willing, he will bring real change and take us to safety,” he added.
For the past 40 years, taxi driver Abu Marwan, has been a staunch supporter of the KDP, but in these elections he decided to punish his politicians and vote for the opposition group the New Generation.
“All the people here are suffering because of the political infighting, corruption and unemployment, they are struggling to make ends meet,” said Abu Marwan, 60, who refused to give his full name. “There is no justice,” the father of six added.
Rewand Jaleel, 26, expressed hope despite setbacks, saying he still sees KDP as the best option to lead the Kurdistan government. “Yes, we are facing challenges and there are mistakes, but I still believe in the Party’s [the local name for KDP] vision,” Mr Jaleel, who casted his vote with his old mother, said.
“No party is perfect. What matters is that they are committed to dealing with the region’s problems,” he added. “Our region needs strong leadership that can navigate the tough times ahead,” he said.
Voter turnout
As of noon, IHEC said the turnout was 31 per cent across the region. The spokesman for Kurdistan Elections Central Committee Ayser Yassin announced the highest turnout was in Erbil at 34 per cent, followed by Halabja with 33 per cent, 31 per cent in Duhok and 29 per cent in Sulaymaniyah. Polls closed at 6pm local time.
Late on Sunday, Mr Yassin announced that the turnout across the region was 72 per cent. Dahuk saw the highest turnout at 78 per cent followed by Erbil at 74 per cent, Halabja at 69 per cent and Sulaymaniyah at 65 per cent, he added.
As the process was under way, the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq hailed the vote as a “proof of a bright future” for both Kurdistan and Iraq, according to a statement. “This is a historic day in Kurdistan,” Mohammed Al Hassan was quoted in the statement as telling reporters after touring a polling centre in Erbil.
“We congratulate the people of this beloved region on this democratic celebration. We hope that everything continues as we have witnessed, safe and peaceful,” Mr Al Hassan added.
“The UN is supportive of Iraq and supportive of Kurdistan. The people of Kurdistan deserve all the best, and deserve security and peace. What is happening today is proof of the bright future for Kurdistan and Iraq”.
The Chief of IHEC, judge Omar Ahmed, said the election process “is proceeding smoothly, transparently and fairly”, adding that no violations have been registered. The results will be announced within 24 hours, he added. For the first time in their history, the Kurdish parliamentary elections are being held under the supervision of a federal commission.
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Arabian Gulf League fixtures:
Friday:
- Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
- Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
- Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm
Saturday:
- Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
- Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
- Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
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Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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