Why are provincial elections so important?
Sunni Arabs largely boycotted Iraq’s national elections in 2005. Many were convinced that the election process was not legitimate; others were intimidated from voting by threats from Sunni insurgent groups. Failure to participate in the elections left the Sunnis with little influence or representation in Iraq’s parliament. Lacking political power, Sunnis could only stand by and complain that the Shiite-dominated government was cutting them out of government funding as well as jobs in the bureaucracy, the military and police. That discontent was a factor in the Sunnis’ continued support for the insurgency. The planned provincial elections would give Sunnis a chance to join the political process at the local level. Strong local governing bodies could provide basic services that the central government has been slow to deliver. The creation of strong provincial councils is also expected to dilute some of the central government’s power. What is the election law? The election law provides fu
