IRAQ: Iraqis reflect on the constitution referendum while ballot boxes are collected for counting

Record ID: 858119

  • Title: IRAQ: Iraqis reflect on the constitution referendum while ballot boxes are collected for counting
  • Date: 16th October 2005
  • Summary: (BN09) BAGHDAD, IRAQ (OCTOBER 16, 2005) (REUTERS) IRAQI SOLDIERS GUARDING TRUCK; IRAQI SOLDIER HOLDING WEAPON AND LOOKING AT TRUCK; BALLOT BOXES ON GROUND; SOLDIER LOADING BOX ON TRUCK; DETAIL OF SEALED BALLOT BOX; BOXES ON TRUCK (6 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 31st October 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • City:
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAC082VYQXYWOWRJFLKZCRMVIU0
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Iraqis look to have voted "Yes" to their U.S.-brokered constitution, as poll workers counted and recounted piles of ballots across Iraq on Sunday (October 16), and the possibility of a Sunni minority veto receded.
    Iraqis said on Sunday (October 16) that the turnout to polling centres was good as they voted on the draft constitution freely and democratically.
    "When I went to the polling centre, I found that everything was organised. No one forced us to write yes or no. We chose. So, I do not think that any Iraqi would write yes or no without having any idea about the constitution," said Sarmad, an Iraqi citizen.
    Heavy security had brought an unusual lull across the country during the vote but the U.S. military said that five of its soldiers had been killed on Saturday (October 15) by a bomb attack on their vehicle in the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Ramadi, where little voting took place because of the clashes.
    "The referendum process yesterday took place in a calm atmosphere and security clampdowns prevented explosions and chaos. Iraqis turnout to the referendum was free and democratic," said Lieutenant Colonel Qais al-Alusi of Baghdad Traffic police.
    Overall, turnout was running at 63 to 64 percent and could go higher, Electoral Commission head Hussein Hendawi told Reuters. It was 58 percent in January's historic first post-Saddam Hussein election, which most Sunni Arabs shunned.
    Even if a majority of Iraqis backed the constitution it could be vetoed if two-thirds of voters in three of Iraq's provinces reject it. But partial returns suggested "No" voters reached this target in only two of Iraq's 18 provinces.
    In schools and government buildings around the country, officials were counting, re-counting and stacking piles of "Yes" and "No" ballots; clear plastic ballot boxes, sealed with red tape, were then loaded into Iraqi army lorries and driven under escort for more counting in Baghdad.
    If the constitution passes Iraq will go to the polls again in December to elect a new, four-year parliament in a step that Washington says will mark its full emergence as a sovereign democracy and new Western ally.
    A "no" vote would force the country's warring factions back to the drawing board, limiting December's election to a new interim government to redraft the charter.
    With the count in from most polling stations, votes in favour were leading by a big margin. Even a solid "no" from remaining areas, most of which were predominantly Arab, would not turn it around, the source said. Kurdish leaders have denied Arab accusations of packing Mosul with Kurdish voters.
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