Iraq poll turnout at up to 60 per cent despite attacks

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Iraq poll turnout at up to 60 per cent despite attacks



Oliver August in Baghdad

(Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images)




Around four million people were eligable to vote in Baghdad









Iraq's election commission today estimated the national poll turnout at between 55 and 60 per cent despite a substantial attempt to intimidate voters.

The range given by Faraj al-Haidari, who heads the Independent High Electoral Commission, is down from the December 2005 parliamentary election turnout of 76 per cent, although it’s higher than last year’s provincial elections when just over half of voters cast ballots. If the preliminary figure, due to be officially announce later today, falls within this range it is likely to be considered a disappointing but still credible level of participation. The full results of the election will take several days to arrive.

Turnout is an important measure of success for the election. To be credible and effective, Iraq's next government will need the backing of a large number of people in the deeply divided country.

The election was marred by violence yet according to the American military less than was initially reported. Al Qaeda is said to have fooled the Iraqi government and millions of voters into believing they were under attack from sustained mortar fire.

Instead insurgent cells apparently planted drinks bottles filled with C4 in rubbish bins around the city and set them off in series with the help of mobile phone triggers.

The mortar-like sound of explosions was meant to frighten Iraqis into staying home.

For several hours yesterday morning, loud explosions could be heard across Baghdad in quick succession. General Ray Odierno, the top commander, said most of these were caused by "bottle bombs".

Two houses were blown up with large bombs planted inside, causing all 38 reported fatalities. But there were no car bombs, suicide bombers, mortars or rockets, the general said.

The US military flies large balloons high above Baghdad, where about four million people were eligible to vote, carrying sophisticated tracking equipment that can identify the path and point of origin of all "indirect fire", mostly mortars aimed at the fortified Green Zone.

The general said the bottle bombs did not cause any injuries. They were meant to intimidate, sending a warning signal to every breakfast table in the capital to stay away from the polls.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle7053938.ece

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