To Overcome the State of Tension and Impasse and
Prepare for Setting Up National Unity Government

Statement of the Political Bureau -

December 24, 2005

Our people went to the elections on 15th December
2005 with the hope that it would constitute an
important juncture along the path of restoring
security and stability, as well as for mapping a
democratic path not only for the Iraqi people, but
also for the peoples of the region. They also
hoped that the elections would open up prospects
for tackling the crises that successive
governments, since getting rid of the dictatorial
regime, had failed to deal with or adopt policies
reassuring Iraqi citizens, who had suffered
prolonged agony, that there would be light at the
end of the tunnel.

The elections were significant as a political and
legal obligation, marking the completion of the
transitional stage of the political process. The
elected parliament, with a full term of 4 years,
will take on tasks relating to the constitution and
its possible amendments, as well as enacting a host
of legislation. Such tasks, taken together, will
draw the features of Iraq's present and future.

It was natural, therefore, that these elections
would witness intense competition among political
lists and entities. They acquired greater
importance given the participation of all parts of
Iraq, thus making it possible that a balanced
parliament would emerge, reflecting the structure
of the Iraqi people, with their political,
ideological, ethnic, religious and denominational
diversity. Such a parliament would, it was hoped,
also create a climate of confidence and calm and
help to restore security and stability.

Unfortunately, however, from the early stages, the
election campaign witnessed many obstacles and
violations. This was also true of the polling day
itself. These violations included threatening
voters and preventing them from going to the ballot
box, killing several candidates and political
activists, and the infringement of the supposed
neutrality of state organs, especially the security
forces. All these practices beleaguered the
elections and their potential for heralding a
proper democratic life anchored on well-founded
institutions.

During the various stages of the election process,
many lists and political organisations submitted
numerous complaints to the Electoral Commission.
The latter, however, seemed indifferent and
attempted in various ways to belittle the gravity
of these complaints. It has gone as far as openly
stating that complaints are voiced by the
vanquished, despite being aware that some of those
who made such complaints did not fit this label.
The Electoral Commission did not take any effective
measures, despite announcing that there are 'red
complaints' that could affect the outcome of the
elections. Instead of investigating the complaints
and dealing with them in a serious and transparent
manner, the Electoral Commission announced, against
normal and expected procedure, partial results that
were not endorsed, and it was forced later to amend
its figures. All this took place in a climate of
apprehension, deep concern, tension and anger, thus
only making things worse.

The stance adopted by the Government and its
apparatus was also disappointing. It did not act or
utter even a word,let alone investigate attacks
that targeted the offices of well-known parties and
organisations, including our Communist Party. It
also failed to pursue the murderers and those who
stand behind them, and bring them to justice. All
this, and other aspects, indicate that the
Government did not fulfil its duty to provide
protection and security and do its best to ensure
the success of the electoral process.

All these practices and violations not only
constitute a blatant violation of citizens'
political rights and their freedom of choice as
envisaged in the constitution. They also threaten
to demolish the hopes pinned by the Iraqis on the
elections. With 11 million people turning out to
vote, this was potentially a historical juncture
which could restore national unity and lay a solid
foundation for the national democratic state
encompassing the full spectrum of the Iraqi people.
The people were looking forward to the setting up
of a full time legitimate government that would
undertake the huge tasks crucial to building a
prosperous, independent, democratic and federal
Iraq.

Driven by a sense of responsibility towards the
fate of the homeland, and to avert the dangers of a
deep political crisis that are too grave for
present day Iraq, impelled by the state of tension
and impasse caused by the announcement of partial
and unapproved results by the Electoral Commission,
the Iraqi Communist Party calls upon all the
political forces and parties to recognise the
gravity of the current challenges, rise above
narrow interests, and work earnestly to find
solutions for the looming crisis caused by
electoral violations. In this respect, our Party
calls upon all the relevant sides, especially the
Independent Higher Electoral Commission, and the
UN, who a bear responsibility in accordance with UN
Security Council resolutions, to undertake the
following steps:

1- To consider the partial election results that
have been announced as suspended.

2- To conduct an honest and transparent
investigation of the complaints and appeals made by
political lists and entities, and to cancel the
ballot boxes that are considered suspect.

3- To repeat the process of vote counting and check
the ballot forms, starting with Baghdad and
covering all areas where violations are confirmed.

4- To take a clear position with regard to the
violations on the basis of the outcome of
investigation and vote recount. Perpetrators of
these violations, and those behind them, must be
condemned and made responsible, legally,
politically and morally, for defying the law and
infringing upon citizens rights.

The speedy implementation of these measures will
help to calm down the atmosphere and diffuse the
state of tension, and to embark upon serious
meetings and discussions that encompass all
political currents and constituents, along the path
of setting up a national unity government. This
requires abandoning the policy of sharing power
along sectarian and ethnic lines, and attempts to
marginalize, exclude and eliminate others,
regardless of any pretext.

Let us join together in building our Iraq; a
homeland for all, that is fully sovereign, where
the values of citizenship and national unity are
supreme, so that the people could enjoy security,
peace and democracy.

The Political Bureau - Central Committee

Iraqi Communist Party

24-12-2005