Iraqis vote on constitution

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's deeply divided Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds voted in large numbers on a new constitution Saturday — a referendum mostly free of insurgent violence and aimed at establishing democracy after decades of Saddam Hussein's repressive rule.

In the south, Shiite women in head-to-toe veils and men emerged from the poll stations flashing victory signs with fingers stained with violet ink, apparently responding in mass to the call by their top cleric to support the charter.

But in Sunni regions — both in Baghdad and several key heavily Sunni provinces — the surprisingly high turnout seemed to consist largely of Iraqis voting "no" because of fears the charter would set in stone the Shiite domination they fear.

"The constitution is a sign of civilization," Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said after casting his ballot. "This constitution has come after heavy sacrifices. It is a new birth."

Overall turnout was about 61 percent and surpassed 66 percent in seven of Iraq's 18 provinces, including key Sunni Arab-majority ones, according to initial estimates, election officials said Saturday.

Some 250 election workers in Baghdad were starting to compile the ballots, collecting the summarized results and ballot boxes from around the country to count. So far, only materials from areas close to the capital have arrived, and no results were expected Saturday night, said Farid Ayar of the Independent Elections Commissions of Iraq.

Source

The Iraqi's get to vote on the new constitution and the US troops and new Iraqi Army did a great job of keeping the violence down. There were only 5 attacks on poll stations killing only 5 voters. That is 5 too many but a big step in a potential democracy.

Let's hope we can get the Iraqi Army trained and certified so we can start doing less and less tasks for the Iraqi people.

Finally, something good in the political news. I hope this lessens the violence in Iraq.

Finally, something good in the political news. I hope this lessens the violence in Iraq.

There have been a lot of good news in the political world. And Iraq is moving politcally and has been for the last few months.

Will it lessen the violence? I don't know. Over 3,000 people have died in Iraq in the last 6 months. Will it show the insurgents that we're not leaving and a democracy will be installed? Probably.

Some of the insurgents are doing it simply because they are jobless. Iraq has a 40% un-employment rate. You have a bunch of people standing around doing nothing and that's when they get convinced and turn into insurgents.

Riot, sometimes I think you post this stuff just to respond to peoples' comments

How many elections have there been so far? It seems like the third one, are there any more elections that the Iraqis have to vote for?

Iraqis voted on their new president and now they are voting on the constitution.

hm, heard it on raido today. interesting enough to keep my mind occupied on the drive

It appears that the Iraqis have voted to pass the constitution. They were dancing in the streets showing everyone their blue fingers that they got when they finished voting. Quite the sight.

It appears that the Iraqis have voted to pass the constitution. They were dancing in the streets showing everyone their blue fingers that they got when they finished voting. Quite the sight.

They are just media rats, they probably got the same people they had when they broke down Saddam's statue....rehearsed and executed quite well unlike anything Bush does himself.

Anyway getting a constituition is a good thing but I doubt it will even be of any use at the current time and situation.

Yeah, the millions of Iraqis are media rats...Over 60% of the population is media rats...

And you realize, Stevesanity, that the majority of Iraqis want America in Iraq? President Bush has a high approval rating with Iraqi people. Gosh...maybe America actually did some good? Holy hell, call the press! Call the press!