Task Force Soldiers Inspect Iraqi Polling Sites

Defend America News ^ | Aug 31, 2005 | Army Sgt. Daniel W. Bailey

[SandRat]

During the election process, Iraqi police will provide security at the polling sites; Iraqi army troops will provide additional security in the vicinity.

By U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel W. Bailey 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE NORMANDY, Iraq, Aug. 31, 2005 — To ensure Iraqis in the Diyala Province are confident they can vote safely for the upcoming constitutional referendum and in the December national elections, Task Force Liberty soldiers are keeping a close eye on the polling stations to make sure everything runs smoothly.

With the start of voter registration, U.S. soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment and 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment stopped by five polling stations in Dali Abbas, Abu Sayda, Al-Wajihiya and Muqdadiyah.

The purpose of the mission was to make sure everything was under control by checking on security and addressing any concerns of the Iraqi election personnel, said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Daniel Brillhart, a native of York, Pa., and acting commander of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment.

"Everything that we saw was very positive. Iraqis were prepared to conduct the registration and Iraqi security forces had the scene secured at each location we went to, showing they don’t need extensive coalition involvement to set this off without a hitch."

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Daniel Brillhart

“Everything that we saw was very positive,” Brillhart said. “Iraqis were prepared to conduct the registration and Iraqi security forces had the scene secured at each location we went to, showing they don’t need extensive coalition involvement to set this off without a hitch.”

Sgt. 1st Class Brain Kerkove, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment and a native of Savvana, Ill., feels this is a positive step towards Iraqis taking back their country.

“They need to be able to feel confident enough to get out here and vote,” Kerkove said. “That way, they can go ahead and continue on with the constitution process and the elections coming up, so they can actually run their country without our help.”

Brillhart said during the election process that all security will be conducted by Iraqi police at the polling sites and the Iraqi army in the vicinity as coalition forces are not allowed into the polling sites. His soldiers will provide a safety net should any incidents occur, he added.

“We are in the wings with a large (quick reaction force) and able to react to any one of the locations, should the need arise,” he said. “Part of today’s mission was a rehearsal of the routes to these locations.”

At the polling sites, Brillhart was pleased with the seriousness of which the election personnel enforced the rules.

“They didn’t allow anyone inside the registration sites except to register including the coalition forces that were there,” said Brillhart. “They talked to us in areas that were neutral and away from the actual registration areas, so it was good to see that they see the concept of the fair election and they’re doing their best to abide by those rules.”

After visiting the five polling stations Brillhart and his men are confident that the Iraqi people in the Diyala Province are well on their way to building a better, democratic Iraq.

“It shows they’re taking the key first steps towards establishing a democracy that they can elect their own leaders without interference and without aid from the coalition.”

[SandRat]

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Daniel Brillhart, executive officer, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment, Task Force Liberty talks with an Iraqi police officer outside a polling station in Al-Wajihiya, Iraq. Brillhart was checking on the security levels at polling stations near Forward Operating Base Normandy, as his unit will serve as a quick reaction force for any incidents during voter registration. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel W. Bailey

[SandRat]

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