POLITICS: Iraqis Push Ahead With Elections, page 1

Iraq is to move forward with its nationwide elections and the date has been set for January 2005. It will be Iraq�s first since the downfall of Saddam Hussein. Spokesmen have said that ballots will be cast nationwide and will include areas that are now wracked by fighting. No Iraqi province will be excluded from the polls in choosing a National Assembly; Iraqis will choose 275 members for the Assembly, which will be charged with drafting Iraq�s permanent constitution. At the present time there are 122 political parties and 195 applications have been accepted and registered to date.

news.bbc.co.uk
Iraqis Push Ahead With Elections
Sunday, 21 November, 2004, 14:07 GMT

Iraq has set a date of 30 January 2005 for its first nationwide election since the toppling of Saddam Hussein.

The announcement came from the independent Iraqi electoral commission in Baghdad.

There had been mounting speculation as to whether elections would be feasible given the continuing violence.
Voters are still being registered, even though some registration centres closed because of the violence.

More than 100 parties are said to have registered.
Commission spokesman Farid Ayar said areas beset by violence - including insurgent strongholds such as Falluja and Ramadi - would still participate in the elections.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

What will the United State or the United Nations have to say, will they allow say the Baath, or the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq to take power.

Will they really allow the people of Iraq to elect someone they decide upon, will they use paper ballots or will they use Diebold machines?.

Whatever the outcome hopefully Iraq will find some sense of peace and security from the elections.

Related News Links:
www.wjla.com
quote.bloomberg.com
hosted.ap.org

Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
some of the more popular Iraqi political parties and leaders

[edit on 21-11-2004 by Banshee]