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{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2009 Al Anbar Governorate election
| country = Iraq
| type = parliamentary
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2005 Al-Anbar governorate council election
| previous_year = 2005
| previous_mps =
| next_election = 2013 Al Anbar governorate election
| next_year = 2013
| next_mps =
| seats_for_election = All 29 seats for the Al-Anbar governorate council
| elected_mps =
| election_date = {{Start date|2009|1|31|df=yes}}
| turnout = 40% ({{increase}}38%)


| image1 =
| leader1 = [[Ahmed Abu Risha]]
| party1 = Iraq Awakening and Independents National Alliance
| last_election1 = 0
| seats_before1 = 0
| seats1 = 8
| seat_change1 = {{increase}}8
| popular_vote1 = 56,262
| percentage1 = 17.7%
| swing1 = {{increase}}17.7%
| colour1 = 981C24


| image2 =
| leader2 = [[Saleh al-Mutlaq]]
| party2 = Iraqi National Dialogue Front
| last_election2 = 0
| seats_before2 = 0
| seats2 = 6
| seat_change2 = {{increase}}6
| popular_vote2 = 53,487
| percentage2 = 16.9%
| swing2 = {{increase}}16.9%
| colour2 = 00009F


| image4 =
| leader4 = [[Tariq al-Hashimi]]
| party4 = Intellectuals and Tribes Alliance for Development
| last_election4 = 29
| popular_vote4 = 51,733
| percentage4 = 16.3%
| swing4 = {{decrease}}55%
| seats_before4 = 29
| seats4 = 6
| seat_change4 = {{decrease}}23
| colour4 = 00295F


| image5 =
| leader5 = [[Jamal Al-Karboli]]
| party5 = National Movement for Development and Reform
| last_election5 = 0
| popular_vote5 = 23,835
| percentage5 = 7.5%
| swing5 = {{increase}}7.5%
| seats_before5 = 0
| seats5 = 3
| seat_change5 = {{increase}}3
| colour5 = 73337D

| map_image =
| map_size =
| map_caption =

| title = [[Al Anbar Governorate|Governor of Al Anbar]]
| posttitle = Subsequent Governor
| before_election = [[Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani]]
| before_party = Iraqi Islamic Party
| after_election = [[Qasim Al-Fahdawi]]
| after_party = Independent (politician)
}}

The '''[[Al Anbar Governorate]] election of 2009''' was held on 31 January 2009 alongside elections for all other [[Governorates of Iraq|governorates]] outside [[Iraqi Kurdistan]] and [[Kirkuk]].

== Background ==

The governorate is overwhelmingly populated by [[Sunni]] [[Arab]]s. The sitting governorate council was elected in the [[2005 Iraqi governorate elections]]. These elections took place at the same time as the [[January 2005 Iraqi legislative election]] and were boycotted by nearly all Sunni Arab parties. The [[Iraqi Islamic Party]] was the only significant Sunni Arab party to put up candidates but they also withdrew from the ballot days before the election.

The turnout in Anbar was 2% for the legislative elections and only 0.5% for the governorate election.<ref>3,775 out of an electorate of 765,002:
: [http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/html/newsletterImages/PF81Annexes.pdf Provincial Politics in Iraq - Freagmentation or Awakening?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010061307/http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/html/newsletterImages/PF81Annexes.pdf |date=2017-10-10 }}, ''[[Washington Institute for Near East Policy|Washington Institute]]'', 1 April 2008, accessed on 12 January 2009
: [http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/elections_map.html Al Anbar Province Details], ''[[Al Sumaria]]'', 4 February 2009</ref> Therefore, although the Iraqi Islamic Party has traditionally been stronger in Mosul, they ended up with nearly all the seats on the governorate council.

From 2004, the governorate became a major site of the [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–11)|insurgency in Iraq]] directed against the Iraq government and occupying United States army. However, the formation in September 2006 of the [[Anbar Salvation Council]] was a turning point, and led to the American-backed tribal forces driving [[al-Qaeda in Iraq]] and other insurgents out of al-Anbar.

== Campaign ==

More than 520 candidates stood in Anbar, from 37 party lists.<ref name=WaPo>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/24/AR2009012402051_2.html Iraq Election Highlights Ascendancy of Tribes], ''[[The Washington Post]]'', 24 January 2009</ref> The main contest was between the [[Iraqi Islamic Party]] which ran the council since 2005 and various parties linked to the [[Awakening movements in Iraq|Awakening movements]] formed by tribal leaders and funded by the United States to fight against [[al-Qaeda in Iraq]]. Analysts predicted the IIP standing on their own would be "''wiped out''" in Anbar by the Awakening movements.<ref name=IHT>[http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2009/01/23/africa/OUKWD-UK-IRAQ-ELECTION-SUNNIS.php Anti-Qaeda sheikhs vie for west Iraq in poll], ''[[International Herald Tribune]]'', 23 January 2009</ref> the Iraqi Islamic Party formed the [[Coalition of Intellectuals and Tribes]] together with uniting the [[Islamic Party]], the [[gathering of Anbar’s Tribal Leaders and Intellectuals]], [[Iraq’s People’s Conference]] and the [[Independent Tribal National Gathering]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2358&lang=0 |title = Iraq Politics and Constitution - سياسة العراق و الدستور العراقي |accessdate=2010-02-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218234830/http://niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2358&lang=0 |archivedate=2009-02-18 }}</ref>

Lists associated with the Awakening movements included the [[Iraq Awakening and Independents National Alliance]] and the [[National Front for the Salvation of Iraq]]. The Alliance was led by Sheikh [[Ahmed Abu Risha]], Sheikh Amir Ali al-Sulaiman and Sheikh Hameed al-Hayyes<ref name=IHT/> Sheikh al-Hayyes left the Alliance before the election and contested as head of the "Anbar Salvation Council" list.<ref>[http://niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2521&lang=0 alliance building in anbar: sunnis join cross-sectarian trend] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727124031/http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2521&lang=0 |date=2011-07-27 }}, ''[[Niqash]]'', 16 September 2009</ref>

The National Front was led by Sheikh Ali Hatim, the tribal leader of the [[Dulaim]] tribal confederation - the largest in Anbar - and has previously clashed with Abu Risha's brother, [[Abdul Sattar Abu Risha]], when he was the head of the Anbar Salvation Council.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/10/AR2007061001453.html Tribal Coalition in Anbar Said to Be Crumbling], ''[[The Washington Post]]'', 11 June 2007, accessed on 25 January 2009</ref> The Front claimed the support of the [[Anbar Salvation Council]], the Al-Anbar Awakening Congress, and the Council of Al-Anbar Sheikhs.<ref name=Awsat>[http://www.aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=14185 National Front for Salvation of Iraq Leader Vows to Fight Islamic Party] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711182438/http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1 |date=2007-07-11 }}, ''Asharq al-Awsat'', 25 September 2008</ref>

The [[Tribes of Iraq Coalition]], headed by Hamid al-Hais is another list which claims to be backed by tribal leaders.

[[Saleh al-Mutlak]]'s [[Iraqi National Dialogue Front]] is the only significant list that doesn't rely on support from tribal leaders, being based on former [[Ba'ath Party]] supporters.<ref name=WaPo/>

== Results ==

Following the vote, supporters of the IIP and the Sahawa gathered in the capital, [[Ramadi]], and started firing in the air to celebrate victory. Iraqi police quickly dispersed the groups and announced a curfew.

Early leaked results indicated that the lists backed by the IIP had won 12 of the 29 seats on the council - the largest number for any party. Sahawa supporters accused the IIP of adding 100,000 fraudulent ballot papers and threatened a violent reaction if it was confirmed. Sheikh [[Ahmed Abu Risha]] threatened to "''transfer our entity from a political to a military one''" and "''to fight the Islamic Party and the [Electoral] commission''".<ref name=LAT>[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq-waiting4-2009feb04,0,3595467.story Absent election results, Iraq parties stake claims], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 4 February 2009</ref><ref name=CT>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-anbar_04feb04,0,7621891.story Who are big winners in Iraq election? Depends on whom you ask] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207070814/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-anbar_04feb04,0,7621891.story |date=2009-02-07 }}, ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', 4 February 2009</ref> The IIP condemned the threats of violence saying this behaviour would "''take us back to the Middle Ages''" <ref name=CT/>

The Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq and IIP member, [[Rafi al-Issawi]], called for a recount with people accused of fraud prosecuted. [[Iraqi National Dialogue Front]] leader [[Saleh al-Mutlaq]] said most of the lists thought the IIP had manipulated the vote, he had seen fraudulent ballots himself and the vote had been "''tainted''".<ref>[http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=mideast&item=090204164239.crhosw1y.php Iraq deputy PM calls for recount in former rebel bastion], ''[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]]'' via ''[[New African]]'', 4 February 2009</ref>

The Electoral Commission said they had received a flood of complaints which they were investigating - including some serious complaints that could alter the outcome of the vote. Commission officials met with Abu Risha, assured him they would not tolerate any forgery and asked him to avoid confrontation with the IIP.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120715115029/http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE51336F20090204?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0 Iraq investigating serious vote fraud allegations], ''[[Reuters]]'', 4 February 2009</ref>

Following the election, the Iraq Awakening and Independents National Alliance nominated as governor [[Qasim Al-Fahdawi]], a businessman who had recently been running a construction company in the [[United Arab Emirates]]. He was elected by 24 votes to 3 and formed a government including all parties except for the Iraqi Islamic Party's three members.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq-anbar4-2009may04,0,3919681.story In Iraq's Anbar province, the Awakening grapples with a new role], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 4 May 2009</ref> Dr. [[Jassim al-Halbusi]] was elected chairman of the provincial council.

{{Election results
|image=[[File:Anbar2009governorateelection.svg]]
|party1=[[Iraq Awakening and Independents National Alliance|Iraq Awakening]]|votes1=56262|seats1=8|sc1=+8|color1=#991B24
|party2=[[Iraqi National Dialogue Front|Hiwar]]|votes2=53487|seats2=6|sc2=+6
|party3=[[Coalition of Intellectuals and Tribes]]|votes3=51733|seats3=6|sc3=−28|color3=#01295E
|party4=[[National Movement for Development and Reform|Al Hal]]|votes4=23835|seats4=3|sc4=+3|color4=#73347C
|party5=[[Iraqi National List]]|votes5=21551|seats5=2|sc5=+2|color5=
|party6=[[Iraqi National Unity Coalition]]|votes6=14439|seats6=2|sc6=+2|color6=#004179
|party7=[[Tribes of Iraq Coalition]]|votes7=13798|seats7=2|sc7=+2|color7=#DD2321
|party8=Other parties|votes8=81969|seats8=0|sc8=
|invalid=
|total_sc=−12
|electorate=
|source= Niqash,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110719053518/http://www.niqash.org/content.php?contentTypeID=75&id=2395&lang=0 final election results], ''[[Niqash]]'', 2009-02-25</ref> [http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-27667-Iraq-provincial-elections-preliminary-results.html Al Sumaria], [http://baghdadbureau.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/election-preliminary-results/ New York Times]
}}

== References ==

{{reflist}}

{{Iraqi governorate elections, 2009}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Al Anbar Governorate Election, 2009}}
[[Category:2009 Iraqi governorate elections]]
[[Category:Al Anbar Governorate in the Iraq War]]
[[Category:History of Al Anbar Governorate]]

2009 Al Anbar governorate election - Revision history

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