MOSUL -- In a surprise victory after a 2005 boycott, a Sunni bloc has swept the local elections in the northern Iraqi province of Ninevah, winning back the province after four years of Kurdish rule.

"Winning the majority of seats gives us the certainty that now we will have our deserved support and improved living conditions to Sunnis in the region, Labib Saud, 43, a shopkeeper in Mosul, told IslamOnline.net.

"We were put aside and forgotten by the government in the past four years."

The main Sunni al-Habda bloc won more than 48 percent of votes in last week's provincial elections in the province.

The Kurdish Nineveh Brotherhood List trailed second with only 25.5 percent.

Locals say the poll win will augur well for a better life for the Sunni majority after four years under Kurdish rule.

"During the past four years we were neglected by the local government which was Kurdish and was just looking for a way to have control of Ninevah and include it in Kurdistan region," said Saud.

Kurds, who make up a quarter of Ninevah population, governed the province after Sunnis boycotted the 2005 elections.

"It is true that we boycotted elections in 2005 but like any other Iraqi, we were looking for democracy and support that never reached to our province," said Saud.

"It is time now to make a difference and show that Sunnis can govern looking for all people in equal manner and not only give preference to our sect group."

Stability

The Kurdish list conceded defeat to the Sunni bloc.

"We well accept the results but expected a more gratitude from locals who were witness to our efforts to bring peace to the region," said Peevar Ramin, a senior official at the Ninevah governing consul.

"Kurdish members of the Ninevah governing consul did a great job in the region despite Sunni insurgency moving to the area in the past two years."

Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani also called on all sides to respect the will of the people, saying Kurds have no intention to control Mosul provincial councils.

The Sunni vote win has raised some worries among security personnel in the province.

"Resistance groups will now feel at home inside an area that will be headed by Sunni leaders," said Lt. Dirar Berzan, from Ninevah security personnel.

"There were rumors that some candidates from the winner list has direct contact and relation with such fighting groups and might offer them a back support on the coming months."

But the Sunni bloc shrugs off the claim, saying the victory signals all parties are aspiring for stability in the region.

"We want peace and stability for Iraq and that's why we won this election because people want to live without fear," said Omar Abdel-Lattef, member of al-Habda block.

"Allegations from security personnel that results could help undermine support for al Qaeda and other groups in Ninevah is an offense.

"Such accusations are a way to give excuses for our great victory in Ninevah, leaving Kurds behind that were looking to control the region and if it had happened than they would expect lack of stability which isn't going to happen with us in power."

By Afif Sarhan
www.islamonline.net