Iraqi Citizens Witness Monumental Day
By Pfc. Evan Loyd
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

The citizens of Mahmudiyah Qada went safely to the election polls Jan. 31 to vote during the provincial election. There were no reports of serious violence in the qada. The violence free election was a monumental effort and achievement for the Iraqi security forces of Mahmudiyah.

The 17th Iraqi army division and Iraqi police were responsible for the security operations in the area with Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers in a supporting role.

Iraqi Staff Maj. Gen. Ali, commander, 17th Iraqi army division, accompanied by Col. Pat White, of Apple Valley, Calif., commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, MND-B, while he conducted a site tour of the Mahmudiyah Qada polling stations on Election Day.

Ali checked each of the site’s security from the outside perimeter watching Iraqi Security Forces using handheld metal detectors that were provided by Coalition Forces. He offered words of encouragement and guidance to his soldiers protecting the polling stations.

“You are doing a great service to the people of our country by making it safe for them to come and vote,” said Ali. “Try to make sure it is as easy as possible for the people to get their say in the vote.”

Despite the obvious difference between the polling sites in the congested cities and outlying areas Ali was greeted with purple fingers and giant smiles everywhere he went.

“I am proud to have had the chance to vote for my leaders,” said one local Iraqi as he showed off his purple finger.

The ISF provided the Iraqi citizens with an environment that was free and safe in order to cast their votes.

“It is really a very democratic demonstration,” said Saad Tuaima. “The Americans had the gratitude of laying down the democracy in Iraq.”

Iraqis Flock to Polling Stations for Elections
By Staff Sgt. Alex Licea
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

Iraqis went to the polls on Jan. 31 to cast their ballots in the provincial elections. Citizens in 14 of Iraq’s 18 provinces were eligible to vote in the elections.

Iraqi security forces assigned to the 8th National Police Brigade, 2nd NP Division, were in charge of security during Election Day in the New Baghdad District of eastern Baghdad. Paratroopers assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad acted in a supporting role to their ISF partners across the New Baghdad District. Paratroopers also assisted their ISF partners across eastern Baghdad.

ISF personnel voted Jan. 28 during a special election period in order to allow them to focus on security during the vote.

Polling stations across eastern Baghdad were crowded as voters were subject to security screenings by Iraqi policemen prior to voting. Polls opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 6 p.m.

Schools all across eastern Baghdad were converted to polling stations during the elections. Before heading to his local polling station in New Baghdad an Iraqi man, who simply wanted to be called Mohammed, expressed his excitement.

“I’m very optimistic about the vote this time around, and I feel confident in our government,” said Mohammed, a taxi driver and father of two. “I feel this will be a new beginning for our country, and the population knows its responsibilities to go vote.”

Each person was marked with purple ink on their index finger after voting. The indelible ink is to symbol a casted vote and prevents a person from casting multiple votes eliminating any potential for voter fraud.

Campaign posters across eastern Baghdad have been a common sight for several weeks leading up to the provincial elections as Iraqis have been very involved in the political process. The mood has also changed as many Iraqis felt on Jan. 31 vote was the first real sign of a growing democracy.

The scene was a far cry from the last provincial elections held in 2005 where many Iraqis boycotted the elections due to fears of violence and general lack of knowledge about candidates or political parties.

“I did not vote in 2005 because the situation was not good then,” said Mohammed. “The violence was bad, and we did not have specific candidates to vote for so I just chose not to vote.”

Along with assisting the Iraqi government during Election Day, coalition forces partnered with ISF on several operations leading up to the election. The security operations were in order to achieve a safe and legitimate election.

These elections were a true indicator of how far the ISF have come since 2005. Coalition forces played a primary role in security procedures during the 2005 elections. This time around; however, ISF were responsible for overall security of polling sites.

Paratroopers assigned to 3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div., couldn’t help but to comment on the significance of the event as they observed Iraqi citizens heading to the polls.

“My last deployment to Iraq was in 2004, and it is amazing to see how far Iraq has come,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Gross, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. “This is a significant day for the people and country of Iraq.”

Results will be tallied in the coming days in order to see who will be filling the seats in the provincial legislatures. It will take about two months for the newly elected officials to be seated. Provincial governments make and pass laws relevant to their region based on the views and services of the people which elected them.

Provincial governments can be compared to the responsibilities of state governments back in the U.S.

Iraqi Citizens Take to Polls in Airport Village
By Staff Sgt. Jason Kendrick
56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad

Four years ago, the first elections of a burgeoning democracy were conducted in Iraq. On Jan. 31, the people of Iraqi once more returned to the polls to choose their nation’s leaders.

The situation is vastly different today. The government has had four years to mature, and the people have matured as well. Whereas the concept of free elections may have seemed to be an alien concept a decade ago, the Iraqi people today realize the importance of selecting those leaders that best represent their beliefs.

Such was the scene at Airport Village, which lies just outside of Baghdad, where citizens could be smiling and excited to cast their votes to determine the future of their nation.

Perhaps a key part of the maturation process is the growing working relationships between the Iraqi police and the Iraqi army. During the elections in 2005, the IP and IA did not work together efficiently because that relationship had not yet had the opportunity to bond into the sense of teamwork the two agencies currently enjoy.

“This clearly sends a message to the international community that Iraq is in control and are ready to put people in office that will take them to the next generation,” explained Maj. Timothy Amerson, civil military operations officer for the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

The Iraqi High Election Council appointed a person responsible for overseeing the operation of each polling sites across Iraq. Inside each polling station, the individuals have jurisdiction without any additional governmental presence.

This was also the case in Airport Village. On the outside of the station, an outer security perimeter was provided by IP and IA soldiers working together. The joint forces provided a safe and secure environment for the citizens of Iraq.

“The whole process was planned out. Iraqi police and the Iraqi army came together and developed a plan for security along with the IHEC representative,” Amerson said.

During the planning process, a variety of items were discussed, ranging from materials needed to people designated to perform personnel searches. Of key importance for those preparing for the elections was brining in people from outside the Airport Village to perform these missions to prevent any potential allegations of impropriety or undue influence. In fact, it is the legitimacy of the process that may be the most important in ultimately determining the success of the elections.

“I believe that the people of Iraq truly believe that their voices will be heard in these elections,” said Staff Sgt. Paul Farr, civil military operations non-commissioned officer serving with the 56th IBCT.

This sentiment was expressed by many of those participating in the elections.

Thabit Hassan, the council mayor of Airport Village, observed the elections process after he voted and expressed great pride in the direction his country is heading.

“Democracy is an infant in Iraq. As an infant, you make mistakes that can come back to hurt you,” Hassan said. “But, as you grow older, you start to realize what is good and what is bad; and you start doing better things. These elections are 100 times better than the previous elections because the Iraqi people are better educated and are more in touch, more in tune, with the needs of the country.”

But the pride did not start and end with the salt and pepper mustached mayor. Young voters representing the generation of Iraqis who are needed to continue the process also showed pride in participating in the historic event.

“As far as the elections, it is encouraging for us as the new generation because it shows us that there is actually a vote for every person and that things can be changed through the elections,” said Mohammed, an 18-year-old resident of Airport Village.

Iraqi Security Forces Maintain Security in a Democratic Society
By Sgt. DaleAnne Maxwell
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

Election Day – a day many Americans take for granted, but for thousands of Iraqi citizens, the opportunity to vote, to choose who will lead their country; this will be their second chance to see how a democratic government works.

The provincial elections held Jan. 31, is proof that the government of Iraq is moving toward a democratic form of government, and that the Iraqi security forces elevated their responsibility to provide security for the citizens of Iraq.

“Security is the main priority of the Iraqi security forces,” said Spc. Lucas Burns, a Fire Support Specialist for Company B, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad and native of Clarksville, Mich.

In an effort to improve security for the citizens and encourage more voter turn-out, the ISF closed off roads, added extra patrols and kept a close eye on areas surrounding polling centers.

“The security is excellent and I feel good about the troops, they help me and the people are happy, you can see them walking the streets all dressed up,” said Asa, an Iraqi citizen from the Doura community of Baghdad.

“It is very important to be able to participate in this election,” said Asa, “I was not able to participate in elections before.”

“It’s a pretty big step for the Iraqi people to go from living under a dictatorship to a democracy with the freedom to vote,” said Pfc. Brantley Butler, an Automatic Rifleman for Company C, 1st Bn., 505th PIR, attached to 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B, and a native of Vale, Ore. “They have taken a big step in their government.

“The elections went well,” said Maj. Hassim, the national policeman in charge of security at a polling site in the Hadar community of Baghdad. “A lot of people showed up here, about 80 percent that live in this area.”

“The elections are very important; and it shows that the people feel very safe, safe enough to go to the election centers,” said Hassim.

Iraqis Vote While Striker Soldiers Show Support
By Scott Flenner
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

Members of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, assisted the Iraqi security forces with security, while Iraqis exercised their democratic right to vote Jan 31.

“Our mission today is to allow the Iraqis to completely take the lead on this election process, and we will be out in sector for support if they need us,” said 1st Lt. Jeff Nelson, who serves as a platoon leader for the Command Security Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

With Iraq in the lead, Striker Soldiers had specific and detailed guidelines to follow during these elections while out in sector.

“Do not interfere; do not influence, and do not get in the way of today’s elections” said Col. John Hort, a native of Fayetteville, N.C., who serves as the commander of 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

The main support provided by Striker Soldiers was assisting the ISF in northeast Baghdad to enforce a vehicle ban that was emplaced by the government of Iraq for a 24-hour period during the elections to minimize threats. The 24-hour ban was lifted approximately nine hours after it was emplaced due to improvement of security throughout the area.

“Things are going really well; everyone seems to be in a pretty good mood, and there was a good turnout near the sites we stopped,” said Nelson, a native of Rockport, Texas.

The added security provided by the ISF and Striker Soldiers allowed for a large number of Iraqis to place their vote for the first time since 2005.

“This is the best thing we can do [voting]. It is how we the people can change the government to help us,” said an Iraqi resident from the Adhamiyah District of Baghdad. “Democracy is good; we need democracy.

More photos on Flickr

Tags: elections, elections in iraq, free elections in iraq, Iraqi elections, Iraqi provincial elections, Iraqi voters, iraqis, people of iraq, vote

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