Iraq election declared 'success'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4220551.stm
 Last Updated: Sunday, 30 January, 2005, 19:41 GMT

 Iraq election declared 'success'

Turnout is said to have been high despite threats and boycott pleas
The first multi-party election in Iraq for 50 years has been declared a 
success at the end of polling.
The electoral commission claimed a high turnout and US President George W 
Bush congratulated the Iraqi people on a "great and historical achievement".
A series of election-day attacks across Iraq killed at least 36 people, 
mainly in Baghdad, interior officials said.
Correspondents say there was a marked division in turnout between Sunni, 
Shia and Kurdish strongholds.
In the Shia Muslim south and Kurdish north of the country, queues formed at 
polling stations and there were smiles and tears of joy among voters.
But polling stations in many Sunni-dominated cities in the centre of Iraq 
were closed or deserted, as voters stayed away out of fear of attack or 
opposition to the election itself, reports said.
Just before voting officially ended, a British military transport plane 
crashed north of Baghdad. There are an unknown number of victims and the 
cause is not yet clear.
'Moving and humbling'
Voting was to have ceased at 1700 (1400 GMT) but extra time was given to 
allow people waiting at polling stations to cast their ballots.
Electoral officials estimated that up to eight million Iraqis voted - more 
than 60% of those registered.
 A large number of people have shown up to vote: men and women, Muslims and 
Christians, Sunnis and Shias

Iraqi woman,
Baghdad


Iraq elections: Have your say
In pictures: Iraqis vote
Election: In quotes
Earlier, top UN electoral adviser Carlos Valenzuela offered a more cautious 
assessment, saying turnout appeared to be high in many areas, but that it 
was too early to know for sure.
Tens of thousands of Iraqi expatriates in 14 other countries also voted in a 
mainly peaceful atmosphere, although scuffles broke out in the UK.
In Washington, Mr Bush said: "The Iraqi people themselves made this election 
a resounding success."
He added: "They have demonstrated the kind of courage that is always the 
foundation of self-government."
In London, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair hailed the election as "moving" and 
"humbling".
The Iraqis "came out despite the dangers," he said.
Country divided
More than 200 parties and coalitions are competing for seats in the 
transitional assembly, which will draft a new Iraqi constitution ahead of 
planned elections for a full-term parliament.
Voting at polling stations in the country's south and north was brisk.
ELECTION SCHEDULE
Sunday: Polls opened for 10 hours, with an extension for those still queuing 
to vote at 1700 (1400 GMT)
Next week: Vote counting for 4 or 5 days
Early March: PM appointed
Late March: Government formed


Reporters' log
But reports from central Sunni cities, such as Falluja, Samarra and Ramadi, 
say not all polling stations opened, and there was at best a trickle of 
voters.
Authorities had imposed an unprecedented series of security measures - 
including shoot-on-sight curfews, closed foreign borders, a ban on cars and 
travel restrictions within Iraq.
Despite the measures, the capital was hit by nine suicide bombings and a 
number of mortar attacks.
In an internet statement, a group said to be led by militant leader Abu 
Musab al-Zarqawi claimed to be behind some attacks in Baghdad and Mosul.
Yet correspondents say the security measures have had an effect, as the 
bombs were far smaller than they could have been if they had been packed 
into cars.
You can watch John Simpson's Panorama programme on the state of Iraq on BBC 
One on Sunday 30 January at 2215 GMT and on BBC World television on Saturday 
5 February at 0810, 1210 and 2210 GMT. 



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