Posted on 12/16/2005 12:36:37 AM PST by HAL9000
Up to 11 million people Iraqis voted in the landmark general election on Thursday, according to early estimates from electoral officials.Around 15.5 million Iraqis were called to polls to elect a 275-member parliament that will put in place the first full-term government since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
"The number of those who took part in the ballot should be between 10 and 11 million voters, according to our first estimates," said senior electoral official Farid Ayar.
A figure of 11 million voters would put turnout at around 70 percent.
Participation in the election for a provisional government in January, the first since Saddam's ouster, was 59 percent and in an October referendum on a new constitution it was 63 percent.
Ayar said votes were being counted in Iraq's 18 provinces before the final results are tallied in Baghdad.
Results are not expected for another two weeks.
The French are so effing evil....
Democrats: "This is a Vast Right Wing Cpnspiracy"
Score high turnout and relative peace as a big win for our side.
Recent news also points to Iraqi security forces coming up to speed, pretty well.
Apparently getting a coalition government up and running, and talk of needing amendments to their constitution are near term challenges.
Sunni participation indicates a silent majority of them wanting in on whatever place they can get, in what must seem increasingly a done deal, as far as democratic self-rule.
Sunni participation indicates a silent majority of them wanting in on whatever place they can get, in what must seem increasingly a done deal, as far as democratic self-rule.
---
While I hope you are correct, I think your reading may be a little optimistic. Compare to the situation in Northern Ireland, where the Republican community would support the IRA, while also voting for Sein Fein. I hope to goodness that this will be a step on the road to peace, but I have to say, I am somewhat sceptical.
Bush's fault.
In the Soviet Union, the only existing (you-know-what)party always received 99,99% of votes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.