Posted on 12/14/2005 2:53:21 AM PST by Aussie Dasher
Hundreds of Iraqi expatriates from the East Coast began flocking to a Best Western hotel in McLean yesterday to cast absentee ballots in their homeland's parliamentary elections.
The expatriates will help elect the 275-member national assembly, the first fully constitutional government to rule Iraq since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003. Election day in Iraq is tomorrow.
"I am 65, and this is one of the first times voting in my life," said Amir Al-Abdulla, a Richmond resident who took part in the historic election in McLean. "No one forced me to choose anyone. No one told me who to pick. For the first time, we are going to have all the rights this country has. We are having freedom."
The Best Western Tysons Westpark is one of seven U.S. polling sites -- and the only one on the East Coast -- set up for the election. The other sites are in Nashville and in areas outside Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago and Detroit, according to the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, which organized the elections.
The polling place in McLean is scheduled to be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow, the last day when expatriates can vote.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Democracy reigns...and WE made it happen!!!!!
Too bad some of these FREEDOM LOVING Iraqis aren't IN TOWN in Baghdad to help stablize and bring their passion for democracy to people who desperately need mentors, heros and models.
Where do I go to register to vote in the Iraqi election? I want to cast my vote for democracy and freedom.
Call the dnc, they know how to get your vote in there, no need to register.
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