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March 21, 2004 Release Number: 04-03-43 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Makhmur District mayors select election dates MOSUL, IRAQ - As an example of the Mosul region moving forward with the democratic process, residents of the Makhmur District in Ninevah Province will soon be allowed to nominate their own city officials. The Makhmur District is located 90 kilometers southeast of the city of Mosul. While the majority of the Mosul area has already completed elections, the Makhmur District had to resolve some issues before setting a date. This historic event is scheduled to be completed by April 10. The Makhmur District mayors discussed the election process last week during a meeting facilitated by civil affairs soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment. This will be the first time the people from the cities of Gware, Debeka, Karach and Makhmur will have a say in the election of their city officials. "These elections are historic for our people," said Barzaan Sayeed Kaka, mayor of Debeka. "It's very important to us that these elections are fair and our people start getting in a democratic mindset and away from the Ba'ath Party way of things." Each of the four cities has at least 50 villages within its boundaries. For the elections, each village will nominate three people for city council. The village Muktar will then meet his counterparts from other villages to discuss the nominees and elect the council. The Muktars will also nominate candidates for city mayors, which will be voted on by the newly elected city council. The cities will hold their elections on separate dates: Gware, April 4, Debeka April 5, Karach April 7 and Makhmur April 10. -30- |