Iraq Voting

BARWANA, Iraq- The first voter of the city is searched by Iraqi Army soldiers as he enters the election center to cast his ballot in the Iraqi National Elections.(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael R. McMaugh 2nd Marine Division Combat Camera)

Karmah polling center opens in spite of terrorists

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – An Iraq National Elections polling center, based at al-Kurmaa Primary School in Karmah, opened on time Dec.15 despite an apparent terrorist attempt yesterday to damage or destroy it. A large explosion was reported on the evening of Dec.14 at the site. Marines and Iraqi security forces responded and discovered a hole blown in the wall and rubble in the street. There were no casualties. An explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit conducted a blast analysis and ensured the site was clear of additional explosives. Coalition Forces and ISF quickly cleaned and repaired the facility to receive voters.

“Through quick and decisive action in responding to the attack and repairing the damage, Iraqi and Coalition Forces were able to foil the attempt by anti-Iraqi forces to deny the Iraqi people their right to vote,” said Multi-National Force – West spokesman Col. David Lapan. Iraqi security forces and Marines continue to maintain security at and around outer cordon sites at hundreds of polling sites around the al Anbar province. Since the Iraqi security forces completed their voting earlier in the week, with 90% casting their ballots, they now play the key role in protecting the polling sites. In eastern al Anbar province, the Iraqi Army provides the outer perimeter security while the Iraqi Police are providing the inner cordon around the actual polling sites.

History in the making, early morning brings Iraqi voters

BAGHDAD, Iraq – With tight rings of security circling the city, Iraqi citizens took to the streets the morning of Dec. 15 to vote for the first full-term government since the fall of Saddam Hussein. Iraqi Police are providing close-in protection at polling stations; Iraqi public Order Battalions and Iraqi Army Soldiers are providing the next level of protection; and more Iraqi Soldiers and Coalition Forces are in a third ring of troops. They will also provide a quick-reaction force if needed.

Shortly after polling sites opened in Baghdad, a rocket landed in the International Zone, damaging a vehicle and injuring one Marine and two civilian contractors. The wounded were treated at the site for minor injuries and released. Polling stations throughout south Baghdad reported a constant flow of voters. Early reports indicated voter turnout is higher than the numbers seen on for the Constitutional Referendum vote on Oct. 15.

Task Force Baghdad Soldiers boost election security

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Army and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers conducted operations Dec. 14 in western Baghdad geared toward creating a secure environment for free elections in the area. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division questioned a driver who was behaving suspiciously near a traffic control point in the Abu Ghraib area. The man failed to answer basic questions and provided conflicting information to the Soldiers. They determined a thorough search of the man’s house was necessary.

The search revealed items typically used by terrorists to attack Iraqi Security Forces, Iraqi civilians and Coalition Forces. The Soldiers discovered two AK-47 assault rifles, one pistol, one video camera, 30 AK-47 magazines with ammunition, one magazine of 7.62-millimeter rounds, five sets of body armor vests, a book listing names of Iraqi Army Soldiers and various terrorist propaganda materials. Soldiers detained the suspected terrorist.

A few hours later, Soldiers from 1/10th Mountain’s Brigade Special Troops Battalion patrolling in Abu Ghraib discovered an improvised explosive device made from a 130 millimeter artillery round wired to detonate with a two-way radio. An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the bomb. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry also captured a suspected terrorist financier near the Khadra neighborhood. One of his associates was also detained for questioning.

U.S. raids net detainees, weapons caches

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Soldiers assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division detained 14 suspected terrorists and confiscated a large number of weapons, munitions and money as a part of Operation Vanguard Free Speech Dec. 14. During the raids, Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, and 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment confiscated 12 152 mm artillery rounds, 12 bags of rocket-propelled grenade propellant, 40 sticks of dynamite, four anti-aircraft rounds and 1 million dinar (nearly $700). The 14 detained suspected terrorists are being held for further questioning.

Iraqi, U.S. Forces keep security tight as polls open

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers continued to maintain security at hundreds of polling sites around the city as residents began lining up well before the 7 a.m. opening for the historic national elections Dec. 15. Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police took the lead on polling-site security as Coalition Forces supported the Iraqis with perimeter checkpoints away from voting sites. The tight security involves a three-stage inspection system before voters get in to the polling sites. No one with bags, cell phones or packages will be allowed to enter as citizens cast their historic vote.

Iraqis have voted in large numbers for their first full-term government since the US-led invasion in 2003.

Voting was extended by an hour in some areas because of the high turnout, Iraq's election commission said.

Sunni Arabs, who boycotted the last election in January, appear to have participated in large numbers, even in insurgent strongholds.

Despite tight security, several incidents of violence were reported, but voting was not seriously disrupted.

About 150,000 Iraqi soldiers and police officers were on patrol across the country, backed up by US soldiers. Borders and airports were closed. more on this....even the commies at the bbc have to admit that the voting passed off without dozens of car bombs. This must really stick in their throats having to report people being happy to vote.

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