Update on elections in Iraq
A few stories I’ve heard from reputable sources in Iraq today and tonight:
- Members of the Iranian-backed Iraqi Supreme Islamic Council were moving freely among polling centers today, and in the streets their representatives gave lots of money to people to vote.
- Many people who have a right to vote were prevented from voting because their names were not on the lists at the polling centers they were told to use
- Sabians, Christians, and other minorities were prevented from voting in many governorates, regardless of their residence. For example, many Christians could vote only in Basrah, Mosul, and Baghdad only; while Sabians could only vote in Baghdad.
- One lady from Baghdad called to tell me that she went and found some who had voted using her name, and also using the names of her brother and father, who are refugees living outside of Iraq.
- Another complaint came from a man in Baghdad, in the Dora neighborhood, who said he went to vote but his name wasn’t on the list. He has lived in Dora for one year, and the list that was being used was the same list of names used in the much-criticized 2005 election.
I’m worried about what the results of this election will bring for Iraq.
I fear it will bring fighting and blood in the streets again, and the people will be the victims, once again.
