Officials raise concerns over misuse of government resources in election campaigns

SULAYMANIYAH — With the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections set for Oct. 20, 2024, local officials in the Raparin administrative district are raising alarms about the misuse of government institutions in election campaigns. These officials are calling on the Kurdistan Regional Government to intervene and halt such practices, which they believe undermine electoral integrity.

Castro Maruf, a member of the Sulaymaniyah Provincial Council, expressed his concerns about these ongoing issues. “This has been a widespread issue across the Kurdistan Region in the past, and now it is happening openly. The time has come to put an end to it,” Maruf told 964Media.

The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission has confirmed that preparations for the upcoming election are complete, including the finalization of candidate lists and their campaign numbers. The official campaign period is expected to start around Sept. 20.

Amanj Aziz, head of the Sulaymaniyah branch of IHEC, detailed the steps being taken to ensure adherence to electoral laws. “A special committee has been established in each area to monitor and document any such violations, ensuring that parties and candidates do not misuse government resources for campaigning,” Aziz explained to 964Media.

Aziz further mentioned that IHEC is planning a workshop to educate all parties and candidates on the laws to prevent these violations. “We will soon conduct a workshop for all parties and candidates to guide them through the laws and ensure they avoid these violations,” he added.

Reaffirming the seriousness of the issue, Maruf criticized the practice of utilizing government facilities for political campaigns as both illegal and harmful to democratic values. “Using government institutions for their campaigns is not only illegal but also undermines democracy,” Maruf stated.

He urged the KRG to take strong measures to protect the sanctity of public institutions. “Government institutions belong to everyone and are not the property of any individual or candidate. It is the responsibility of all to respect and protect these institutions.”

In previous elections, there have been reports of ruling parties hanging flags and banners on government buildings and directors of government institutions pressuring employees to support specific candidates.

There have also been instances of government resources like vehicles and buses being used to organize and transport people for campaign events, raising concerns about fairness and the misuse of public resources for political advantage.