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Iraq Makes History, Elections Begin

Iraqis voted Sunday in their country's first free election in a half-century, defying threats of violence and an initial round of attacks from insurgents determined to sabotage the balloting. As he cast his vote, President Ghazi al-Yawer called it Iraq's first step "toward joining the free world." - more Despite threats of violence from terrorist groups, all 5200 polling stations are reported open and the election is well underway. However, the Associated Press is reporting initial voter turn-out is low in some areas:

Turnout was expected to be low in the early hours. Most attacks occur in the morning, and many Iraqis were likely to wait to see whether rebels carry through with threats of violence.

There were no signs of voting in the Sunni Muslim stronghold cities - and rebel centers - of Fallujah and Ramadi, west of Baghdad. Sunni extremists, fearing victory by the Shiites, have called for a boycott, claiming no vote held under U.S. military occupation is legitimate.

Captain Ed, summarizing a BBC report suggests, "Right now, the turnout in other areas appears to be spectacular. The residents of the three towns mentioned by the BBC will wind up marginalizing themselves. They stuck with the wrong horse today."

Presently, I'm watching the elections live on KurdSat TV [HT: Hyscience]. I don't understand too much and the music is ... different. But the video stream is great.

InTheBullPen (12:30 am CTS) is blogging on a few reports of terrorist attacks aimed at disrupting the election. "A suicide bomb attack in Baghdad and other explosions of unknown origin inside of Baghdad seem to be the only attacks thus far."

Elizabeth Taylor at Daily Inklings appears to be live blogging. From one of here latest updates:

Whole families showing up to vote. Measures taken to prevent people from voting again by fingers dipped in ink.
A three-ring security zone set up with each polling station; that's why first the suicide bombing reach the polling station.

12:51 AM (PST)~~Fifth suicide bomb in Baghdad just reported by FoxNews. Praying for the violence to stop.

I'm praying too. For the violence to stop, for a free Iraq and for the nation to become the shinning example of liberty in the Middle East. AND, for our soldiers to come home.

Posted by tim at January 29, 2005 11:50 PM

Articles Related to Iraq:

Iraqi Friend Details Suicide Blast, Claims News Inaccurate - Jul 17, 2005
Mass Graves Continue to Reveal Saddam's Policy of Genocide - Apr 30, 2005
Iraqi Christians Claim Their Votes Blocked - Feb 02, 2005
On the Eve of Elections Iraq Needs Christian Voters - Jan 29, 2005

Comments

Arrgh. That statement should read "A three-ring security zone set up with each polling station; that's why the first suicide bombing did not reach the polling station." Thanks for visiting.

~Elizabeth

Posted by: Elizabeth at January 30, 2005 3:22 AM