Iraqis Enthusiastically Exercise Democratic Freedoms

"When millions of Iraqis courageously cast their ballots today, they demonstrated their enthusiasm about living in a society where each voice matters and each person has a stake in the future of their country. Conducted by Iraqi Security Forces, the parliamentary elections were a political milestone and a clear symbol of the transfer of responsibility from U.S. and Coalition soldiers to Iraqi troops. Democracy in Iraq will ensure that the country does not become a permanent haven for terrorists who ultimately seek to attack American families and citizens of all free nations," said Congressman Wilson.

Iraq Election Update:

• The largely peaceful election, which will raise U.S. hopes that a stable government can pave the way for American troops to pull out of Iraq, was in sharp contrast to January's vote for an interim assembly, when 40 people died.
• Turnout in 10 hours of voting was at least 10 million, or 67 percent, Election Commission chief Hussein Hendawi told Reuters, much higher than the 58 percent seen on January 30.
• A nationwide three-day traffic ban, and the presence of 200,000 Iraqi soldiers and police backed up by U.S. troops, appeared to succeed in protecting 6,000 polling stations.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Source: "Big turnout in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Iraq election despite scattered attacks," Reuters, December 15, 2005

###