Protests erupt over alleged irregularities in Dhi Qar Engineers Union elections

DHI QAR — Protests erupted Saturday during the Dhi Qar Engineers Union elections over alleged irregularities, with voters citing a cramped venue and poor timing that coincided with the Imam Kadhim pilgrimage, preventing many from casting ballots. The supervising committees were accused of bias and favoring certain candidates, prompting calls for the central union in Baghdad and parliament to investigate. By midnight, election supervisors had not announced the results.

The Iraqi Engineers Union, established in 1959, represents more than 206,000 engineers across Iraq. Headquartered in Baghdad with 14 branches, it regulates the profession and accredits institutions. The Dhi Qar branch alone has 13,000 members.

“This is an important event for engineers in Dhi Qar, and the large turnout reflects that,” said engineer Dhul-Fiqar Abbas. “But the poor organization damaged the governorate’s reputation, and many engineers couldn’t vote due to planning failures.” He cited the venue and timing as primary concerns, adding, “We asked for changes, but no one listened.”

Candidate Khaldoun Talib also criticized the process. “The venue was too small, and the time allotted was inadequate. In Baghdad, they used the spacious fairgrounds, but here, we were cramped,” he said. “The overlap with the Imam Kadhim pilgrimage further reduced participation. We called for a postponement, but our demands were ignored.”

The Imam Kadhim pilgrimage, a major religious event in Iraq, honors Imam Musa Al-Kadhim, the seventh Imam in Twelver Shia Islam. Concluding on the 25th of Rajab (Jan. 25, 2025), it draws pilgrims to the Al-Kadhimiyah Mosque in Baghdad.

Another candidate, Alaa Jassim, echoed concerns about disorganization, citing delays and logistical hurdles. “The election, set for 9 a.m., started at 10 a.m. The narrow venue could not accommodate the large number of engineers. This reflects poorly on how such elections are managed in Iraq.”

Engineer Bilal Nasser accused the election committee of bias. “The committee wasn’t neutral, and we documented several breaches on video,” he said. “Some candidates interfered with ID card distribution, affecting the process’s integrity. This is no way to handle elections for a union representing thousands of engineers.”