- Washington Post

BAGHDAD, Jan. 1 -- The number of Iraqis making sure they are properly registered to vote has surged dramatically, officials said Saturday, calling the rise evidence of enthusiasm for the Jan. 30 elections despite continuing security concerns that have blocked the process in two provinces.

After a slow start to the six-week registration process that began Nov. 1, the number of voters making corrections to official voter lists more than doubled in the final week, according to a final tally quoted by election officials Saturday.

Officials said that more than 2.1 million people went to local election offices to assure that eligible members of their households could vote. About 1.2 million forms were submitted to add names to the voter lists, an involved process that requires providing proof of identification and residence.

Signs of Democracy inside of Iraq are slow showing, however they are there. While terrorists and countries surrounding Iraq are actively fighting against the idea of Democracy in the Middle East, they are being aided by many of the media organizations based in the Middle East as well. Al Hura is perhaps the only exception, though they are funded by the U.S. government.

Al Jazeera has yet to run a piece on any of the candidates in Iraq and has only mentioned Democracy in passing. Iraqi newspapers have reported on the elections, however with over 200 daily newspapers in Iraq there are a few papers who are anti-Democracy. Of course a free press is crucial in a Democracy therefore any view is welcomed in a Democratic society.

News of increased interest in the elections as well as increased awareness is crucial in trying to quell the views expressed by both the world-wide media and several world leaders' opinions regarding what percentage of people voting would constitute a legitimate Democracy. While these views may not be accurate considering some of the comments have come from leaders in tyrannies and dictatorial regimes, there are others who need to recognize the election as legitimate in order for Democracy to succeed in Iraq.

Cross-posted at In the Bullpen

Posted by: Chad at 11:47 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 411 words, total size 3 kb.

1 I hope they have a good turnout. I do believe the attacks on voting places, personnel, etc: will slow down to nothing come voting day. Once the Islamofacists see its going to happen anyway there's not much they can do. If election goes well and Iraqis show some courage it may well be the beginning of the end for terrorism in Iraq. Where will they go next? Perhaps a very rich kingdom next door. One with 98% of the wealth controlled by a few thousand members of an extended family? Seems ripe for the picking.

Posted by: greyrooster at January 02, 2005 07:21 AM (eLjJa)

2 They will continue, probably to a lesser extent. The "Insurgents" are for a good part, Sunnis who wish to remain in power, and will forment civil war until the Iraqi Sunni Minority sucks it up and refuses to allow these people into their neighborhoods. It's a "native" thing, something all the Marines we send can't change! Currently, WE are fighting their Civil War for them. (the Kurds and the Shiites)

Posted by: large at January 02, 2005 11:17 AM (VRK2g)

3 Could be: Just seems to me that once they realize they will not be in power they will not wish to give the Shias a reason to retaliate. I hope they do. Payback.

Posted by: greyrooster at January 03, 2005 08:28 PM (XioYD)

4 I don't think the Shias have the means to retaliate. It's pretty much, as large mentioned, the US that's doing the fighting for them. As was mentioned at the start of the invasion, until Iraq can support its own effective army, coalition troops will have to stay. And, I think, the only way Iraq can get its own army in decent shape will be when the insurgency is gone. Training them now might produce a few good soldiers, but their lack of experience pretty much makes them sitting ducks.

Posted by: Venom at January 05, 2005 03:47 PM (dbxVM)

5 chupence un culo forros

Posted by: facundo at January 09, 2005 12:33 PM (DFOHf)

6 por que no se van un po a la mierda y en vez de matar irakires matan los bolitas de argentina que estan akl pedo...

Posted by: nicolas at January 09, 2005 12:35 PM (DFOHf)

7 groxas mutilasiones eh!!

Posted by: krillin at January 09, 2005 12:38 PM (DFOHf)

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