Posted on 01/29/2005 8:49:16 AM PST by mdittmar
Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawar is expecting up to two-thirds of eligible Iraqis to vote in Sunday's election, after earlier appearing to suggest that most would not cast their ballots.
"I expect a majority, up to two-thirds of eligible Iraqis, to vote," said Yawar, a Sunni Arab. "Of the people who will not vote, the majority of them are scared of violence."
In his earlier comments, Yawar said most Iraqis would not vote because they were frightened off by violence.
He later said he meant that among Iraqis who would not vote, most would not participate due to fears of violence rather than because of boycott calls from several groups.
An estimated 14 million Iraqis are eligible to vote on Sunday in Iraq's first multi-party election since the 1950s.
Up to 6,000 polling centres have been set up around Iraq, but the location of many is being kept secret until the last minute to minimise the risk they will be bombed.
Mr Yawar, whose position is mainly ceremonial, also said any political process that did not include Sunnis, Kurds and Shi'ites, Iraq's three main religious and ethnic groups, would be invalid.
HMMM, I think this guy is taking lessons from John Fn sKerry
I'm sure the press didn't mind overlooking the meaning of his comment.
I never thought I'd say this, but the Iraqis need to listen to the Ayatollahs on this one. Go vote!
I guess we can look forward to Sunnis complaining that the president of Iraq was "Selected, Not Elected" and "Not MY President". Sunni Loserman camelstickers will abound.
I expect over 70% of the population to vote.
So, where is the coverage from MSM and cable of the polling places in Iraq? Surely, some reporters are there on the scene.
Sunni Loserman camelstickers will abound.
Remember: To avoid camel congestion place sticker
on flank!
DNC chairman Terry Mcauliffe is warming up his fax machines as I type.
When I signed on, AOL's main story was the one stating Iraqi president says Iraqi's will not vote. Read it & some of the drivel from posters and decided to come on over to FR. What a great place to be!
Much more convenient that way.
Check out how BBC online titled the same story. "Violence 'will deter many Iraqis'
Many Iraqis will not vote in Sunday's historic election because of continuing violence across the country, the interim president has said. " But they did put this cavet way down in the story "It was not clear whether President Yawer meant that the majority of Iraqis would not vote or that most of those who stayed away did so because of fear not as a protest." One story two different takes.
Welcome. There doesn't seem to be much news from Iraq. Color me naive, but I expected to see pics of lines at the polling places.
My husband asked me yesterday if I would go vote if it meant potential death to me and mine.
I was horrified by my immediate emotional response, which was "no way". If the Iraquis to turn out to vote, I will be very impressed. I wonder how many US citizens would do so in simliar circumstances.
It is something to think about, friends. We all talk the big talk, but how many of us would want to be in their shoes. Maybe women react differently than men.
A good reason for absentee voting?
Welcome to FR.
FoxNews just reported that a zogby poll suggests that 80% of Shia will vote and 7% of Sunni will vote...
of course, zogby...feh. the results might be 37% of Sunni, but they will skew it to 7%...
This mis-quote (or whatever it is) has been getting a lot of prominence in the news today. The subsequent correction is hardly getting any attention.
It's pretty obvious where the MSM wants this election to be headed.
It will be a high number I think, but whatever the number, those who vote are brave and lovers of freedom. I pray for them.
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