Security tight as Iraqis vote in national elections

ARNEWS ^ | Dec 15, 2005 | David Vergun

[SandRat]

ARLINGTON, Va. (Army News Service, Dec. 15, 2005) -- Many Iraqis began lining up at polling stations to vote well before the 7 a.m. opening of the Dec. 15 national elections. Election turnout throughout Iraq is expected to be high as voting continues throughout the day.

Iraqi security forces have taken the lead in providing election security, with 225,000 troops on duty -- 85,000 more than there were for the constitutional referendum voting Oct. 15.

The tight security involves a three-stage inspection process before voters get to the polling sites. No one with bags, cell phones or packages is allowed to enter. Coalition forces are supporting the Iraqis with perimeter checkpoints well away from voting sites.

Voting in Baghdad

In Baghdad, Iraqi security forces reported incidents of small-arms fire throughout the city and discovered an improvised explosive device planted near a polling station on the eve of election day. However, no polling sites were damaged and no election officials were harmed as Task Force Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi security forces tightened security throughout the city.

Col. Joseph P. DiSalvo, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team at Forward Operating Base Loyalty, said the Iraqi forces in his sector have the election process well under control. The area, in and around Baghdad, contains some 4.6 million people, with a mix of religions and ethnic backgrounds. But the largest population is the Shiite majority of Sadr City.

DiSalvo said the Iraqi army's 2nd Brigade, 6th Division, has planned and executed 37 independent operations in the month leading up to the elections.

“The brigade has developed intelligence, planned the raids and executed them well. I'm very fortunate to have this brigade here," he said.

Voting in Tikrit

In Tikrit and other Sunni-majority cities, voter turnout is expected to be high.

“This is a historic date in our history for Salah Ad Din and all Iraq,” said Hamad Hamood, the provincial governor of Salah Ad Din, where Tikrit is located. “Today, we contacted all of the mayors and joint coordination centers and we feel very happy and proud because we did a good job,” Hamad said. “We have overcome all of the difficulties we met at the last election. We learned our lesson and will avoid the problems and the weak points”

Maj. Christopher Dicicco, the civil/military affairs officer for 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, echoed the provincial governor’s hopes on the eve of election day.

He predicted a large turnout in Salah Ad Din.

“Most of the people in this province did not vote in the January election,” Dicicco said. “The Sunnis will vote this time because they know they made a mistake in January by not voting,” Dicicco said. “This time, they will vote to ensure they have representation in the national government. There should be a very successful election tomorrow.”

Iraqi security forces voted three days earlier, so that they could maintain security at the polling sites on election day. For most of the young soldiers and police officers, the experience was new.

When some soldiers asked Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Jawad Romi Aldaini, commander of the Iraqi 2nd Brigade of the 6th Division, whom they should vote for, he replied: "Anyone you want." But when one soldier persisted, he maintained his neutrality, advising: "Call your mother and vote for whom she says."

(Editor’s note: David Vergun compiled this article from U.S. Central Command, Task Force Baghdad and Multi-National Force-Iraq news releases.)

[SandRat]

Best part is that it's the Iraqis doing the job with Coalition backup.

[FreeRep]

Conservatives are optimistic about the bravery of the Iraqi people, and the progress we've made. Liberals only care about hoping it will fail, and supporting Saddam Hussein.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT