Final Iraq vote results due in January; Democrats challenge tally

[dude1394]

Final Iraq vote results due in January; Sunnis challenge tally
BAGHDAD (AP) — Sunni Arabs on Tuesday challenged partial returns from Iraq's parliamentary elections, calling them a "falsification of the will of the people" and saying evidence of fraud was abundant.

[Drbio]

Noone should be surprised by this at all. It is a common chant these days from the minority parties. It happens here, Great Britian, etc. A sad commentary of todays democratic political environment.

[Mavdog]

Kudos to the Iraqis who participated in the election.

I'd expect that everybody on this board would be enthusiastic if there was anywhere in the USA that could acheive a 70% voter turnout for an election.

The issue of fraud is a real one tho, as evidenced by the following from the US Embassy issued before the vote, not to mention the report of fraudulent ballots being trucked in from Iran.

Embassy of the United States of America
Baghdad, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2005
Embassy Spokesman’s Office
Phone: (914) 360-6452
Iraqna: 07901-819-314
Email: BaghdadPressOffice@state.gov

NEWS RELEASE
STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD

The coming elections are a defining moment in building the new Iraq. The Iraqis deserve an election that is free from intimidation and violence.

The United States condemns recent attacks on Iraqi candidates for the December 15 elections. We denounce the recent killing of campaign workers in Mosul, Basra, Baghdad, and elsewhere, as well as the attacks in Najaf and Dahuk. These actions are assaults on democracy and attempts to deny Iraqis the freedom to vote their conscience.

These incidents have taken place alongside unacceptable acts of vandalism. Some even think they can bribe citizens to change their votes. Bribes and attacks should not impact the elections, whether or not damage is done or money is pocketed. The ballots are confidential and every vote is secret. The Iraqi people have the future of their country in their hands.

Those who are behind these attacks and attempts at fraud endanger their place in a democratic Iraq. In the end, we hope and believe their actions will backfire. Iraqi citizens will stand up to those who would intimidate them and vote for those who can bring them a better future.

The eyes of the world are on Iraq as this election moves forward, and the actions of these parties will be judged not only by Iraqis but also by the community of democratic nations. I call on all political parties to condemn acts of intimidation and support a peaceful, free and fair election on December 15. May God bless the people of Iraq.

I recall the words of Josef Stalin: "Those who cast the votes decide nothing.
Those who count the votes decide everything."

[Drbio]

I was pleased that there was little violence during the election itself. I was talking to a colleague here who wondered if there was no violence due to the possibility that the terrorists were working harder to defraud the election. Interesting thought anyways.

[FishForLunch]

Did Nobel prize winner Carter verify that the Iraqi election followed world standards? If not then it is sham election.