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Iraq voter turnout unexpectedly high despite attacks

By: Hamoud Kufi

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Voters turned out in surprisingly high numbers for Iraq's first free election in half a century on Sunday on the call of Marjaiyah (religious authority) defying calls for a boycott to cast ballots and threats of terrorists who unleashed suicide bombers and mortar attacks that left at least 37 people martyred and killed nine bombers.

Some came on crutches, others walked for miles then struggled to read the ballot.

Many cheered with joy at their first chance to cast a free vote. Some people brought chocolates for those waiting in line, and shared festive juice drinks inside the voting stations.

Even in Falluja, a steady stream of people turned out, confounding predictions. Lines of veiled women clutching their papers waited in line to vote.

"We want to be like other Iraqis, we don't want to always be in opposition," said Ahmed Jassim, smiling after he voted.

In Baquba, a rebellious city, spirited crowds clapped and danced at one voting station. In Mosul, scene of some of the worst insurgent attacks in recent months, US and local officials said turnout was surprisingly high.

Even in the so-called "triangle of death," turnout was solid, officials said.

Samir Hassan, 32, who lost his leg in a car bomb blast in October, was determined to vote. "I would have crawled here if I had to. I don't want terrorists to kill other Iraqis like they tried to kill me. Today I am voting for peace," he said, leaning on his metal crutches, fierce resolve in his reddened eyes.

In Sadr City, thick lines of voters turned out, women in black abaya robes in one line, men in another.

Some of the first to vote countrywide were policemen, out in force to protect polling centers from attack, part of draconian security measures put in place by US and Iraqi officials.

By the end of the day in Baghdad, voters were running to polling stations to get there before polls closed at 5 p.m. (1400 GMT). Some old women were helped along by young boys.

One of the biggest surprises was Mosul where US army officers said they had not expected such long lines at many voting centers.

Baghdad's mayor was overcome with emotion by the turnout of voters at City Hall, where he said thousands were celebrating. "I cannot describe what I am seeing. It is incredible. This is a vote for the future, for the children, for the rule of law, for humanity, for love.”

Ayatullah Sistani's representative, Sheikh Abdol-Mahdi Al-Karbalai cast his vote in holy Karbala – home to the holy shrines of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) and his brother Abu Al-Fazl Al-Abbas (p). Recently escaping with his life from an assassination attempt, Al-Karbalai came to a polling station while sitting on a wheelchair. He appreciated people's broad turn out in the nationwide elections.

Sayyed Abdul Aziz Hakim, Head of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution, accompanied by his daughter cast his vote in Baghdad.

Mothers carrying babies and blind men helped by relatives were among thousands of people who rushed to vote in the holy city of Najaf, driven by the fervor to shake off decades of oppression.

"I insisted on coming despite my handicap because voting is a religious duty according to Grand Ayatullah Ali Sistani," said Jawwad Shkeir, a 56-year-old blind man as he went to cast his ballot.

Many women concealed behind their chadors came in groups, alone or with their husbands and headed immediately for the female-only lines to be frisked ahead of entering the polling station to vote.

Terror attacks started within two hours of the polls opening, and over the day there were nine suicide attacks, mostly against polling sites, involving bombers on foot who strapped explosives to their bodies since private cars were banned from the streets.

The election will create a 275-member National Assembly and 18 provincial legislatures. The assembly will draw up the country’s permanent constitution and will select a president and two deputy presidents, who in turn will name a new prime minister and Cabinet to serve for 11 months until new elections are held.

Meanwhile messages of support poured in from around the world as Iraqis voted in the landmark election.

President George Bush, speaking on Sunday from the White House, said the Iraqis had made the election "a resounding success." "Iraqis have shown their commitment to democracy," he said, and had "firmly rejected the anti-democratic ideology of the terrorists."

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