Only two-third Iraqis due to vote in March 7 election

AFP


BAGHDAD, Feb 23, 2010 (AFP) - Fewer Iraqis will cast their ballots in the March 7 general elections, specifically about two thirds of those who voted in the last polls five years ago, according to a pro-government poll on Tuesday.

The survey carried out by the National Media Centre linked to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki indicated that 63 percent of registered voters will go the polls compared to 79.63 percent who voted in 2005.

The poll was conducted in the first two weeks of February among a cross-section of 5,000 Iraqis in the country's 18 provinces, with 53 percent men interviewed and 47 percent women.

According to the survey, more voters will go to the polls in the Kurdish and Shiite areas than in Sunni Muslim regions. An overall 83 percent is expected in the Kurdish province of Dohuk, 73 percent in the Shiite province of Dhi Qar and 46.6 percent in the Sunni province of Anbar.

Less than one percent of voters cast their ballot in Anbar at the last election because of a Sunni boycott.

Eighteen percent of those interviewed said they did not want to take part in the vote because of concern over a lack of transparency in the election, while 16 percent said they had no faith in the candidates.

Of those who said they will vote, 17 percent insisted it was a national duty while 11 percent expected their ballot will influence the future of the country.

Only 10 percent said they trusted the candidates. Others gave no reason for casting their ballot.

The election, the second parliamentary ballot since Saddam was toppled, is seen as a test of reconciliation between the population's Sunni minority and the Shiite majority now represented by Maliki's government.

Around 19 million people have the right to vote, including 1.4 million citizens living in 16 countries abroad, according to election organisers.

A total of 6,500 candidates will contest the ballot in an election that will feature 10,000 polling stations and 54,000 ballot boxes, according to Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission.


http://www.zawya.com/Story.cfm/sidANA20 ... 0election/