IRAQI ELECTIONS APRIL 30; LOCAL VOTING APRIL 27 & 28 IN EL CAJON
By Miriam Raftery
April 25, 2014 (El Cajon) – Iraq will hold elections for parliamentary offices including Prime Minister on April 30. All Iraqi-born people living in the U.S. are eligible to vote, the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce announced today. Locally, eligible voters can cast their ballots on April 27-28 at the Crystal Ballroom, 414 North Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon from 12-2 p.m.
“This is arguably the biggest election since the fall of Saddam Hussein due to the unique circumstance of post-troop withdraw and immense violence,” said Ben Kalasho, president of the Chamber.
Leading candidates for Prime Minister include incumbent Nouri Al-Maliki, Dr. Ayad Allawi, and a Chaldean/Assyrian candidate, Younadam Yousip Kanna.
“The Chaldean community is split among these three,” Kalasho noted.Al-Maliki and Allawi, both Muslims, appeal to Iraqis with strong business ties and property ownership in Iraq, while Kanna appeals to nationalistic-minded Chaldeans and those who aim to see Christian Chaldeans have a voice in the Parliament. The Chamber has taken a neutral stance on the elections, not endorsing candidates.
For more information, visit www.ChaldeanAmericanChamber.com or call 619-244-6220.