Election Results from Those Who Are There
Home

Election Result from Those Who Are There - Latest News from the War on Terror
With pictures of Iraqis dancing in the streets, it was hard for the liberal media to spin the truth in Iraq on voting day, but they did try. ABC News reported Iraqis did not know who they were voting for, an hour after even CNN's Christianne Ammanpour said that was not the case. MSNBC focused on the violence, though as the official reports below show, the suicide bombers most often killed only themselves. These reports are sent to us by Steven, an Arabic-speaking Christian on his second tour in Iraq. Here's the latest:

Based on what little I've seen of the Iraqi election TV coverage, and the way the British C-130 crash is taking up the headlines, the items below might come as a surprise. The elections are going very well, with Iraqis turning up in huge numbers, in complete defiance of the terrorists.

I've tried to spell out most of the acronyms for you.

This is my personal favorite:

-- "Voters are spitting on body of suicide bomber who managed to only kill himself." --

Steven

All -- Here's latest "atmospherics" reporting -- key talking points being used to update media, others on how elections are going. These are based on internal assessments coming in from various sectors and are unclassified. Public release of this information is generally being made by the IIG. v/r, CENTAF-FWD/PA

Talking Points for 30 Jan 05 as of 1340

MNB-NE (MultiNational Brigade, North East )

-- Province-wide: Thanks to good weather, more voters are expected to visit polling sites. Especially the voters in the mountain areas and the northern region won't have any restrictions on their movement.

-- Irbil: GEO is preparing for the transportation of ballot boxes to the PDS warehouse tomorrow morning. It has contracted a local company, securing 33 trucks. There will not be any problems retrieving ballot boxes from polling sites.

-- Still no reported attacks, and 30-minute lines are reported.

-- No attacks against polling sites, no significant incidents.

-- No reported attacks on any of the polling centers. Reports indicate roughly 45% of registered voters have participated as of 1030. Assessment ... more than 90% of registered voters will vote. Weather is bringing people out.

-- Irbil: Very positive response at polling site, long lines reported.

-- Ninawa: No major incidents, people are lining up and are voting.

MND-NC (Multi National Division, North Central)

-- Baqubah: Voting is light but there are lines at the polling centers.

-- Elections are proceeding as planned and expected. IECI identified problems during rehearsals and mitigated by reducing the number of sites opened and using emergency poll operators.

-- Attacks throughout province are relatively small and insignificant. Not doing any good in turning away voters.

-- 496 sites are hardened, 430 of those have IECI reps.

-- 30 attacks against polling stations, 80% of those were last night with no significant impact.

-- All sites are secured... light to moderate turnout at polls.

-- Baquba: Relatively quiet.

-- Sulaimanaya: Very strong turnout.

-- Kirkuk: No major incidents, solid turnout.

-- Samarra: MOI came to his hometown earlier in the morning and cast his ballot.

MND-Baghdad (Multi National Division, B-dad)

-- Citizens being interviewed at polling sites express great pride and excitement in elections. One woman at a polling station broke down in tears of joy as she filled out her ballot.

-- No reports of people being turned away. In fact, one voter was not on the list at the center she went to but was assisted by election workers.

-- One zone reported that people are arriving in "droves". Others report large turnout and very happy, celebrating citizens. Some shop owners are handing out sweets and drinks in a "carnival like atmosphere."

-- Voters are spitting on body of suicide bomber who managed to only kill himself.

-- Thousands walking to polls. Significant foot traffic. Some people are walking long way to participate.

-- 94% of polling stations are operational.

-- Voters are turning out in all sectors, heavy female turnout in Sadr City.

-- Some polling sites have as many as 500 people in lines.

-- Two new suicide bombers... little impact.

-- Al Kazimiyah: 1,000s walking to polling sites. A early morning mortar attack resulted in some casualties but has had no impact on voter turnout, very positive atmospherics.

-- ISF/CF discovered three VCIEDs and secured them before they could be employed.

-- Large turnout of female voters. Other reports indicate people are waiting until later in the day to vote.

-- Voters appear to be undeterred by attacks.

-- Second suicide bomber outside a children's hospital. 1 KIA (bomber) was the only casualty

-- Muqdadiya: CF (Coalition forces) engaged a AIF ( Anti Iraq Forces ) trying to set up a mortar site. Motar site was secured before any mortars could be fired.

-- Steady stream of voters at polling sites, very good turnout. People are celebrating as they enter and exit the polls. Long lines at several polling centers.

-- Abu Ghraib: Large crowd of more than 300 moving out towards polling center. Group is now over 1,000.

-- N. Babil: One mortar attack, 3 police wounded, 1 civilian killed, however, no negative impact on voter turnout.

-- N. Babil: IED went off in a polling center. No injuries reported. IECI workers going to another polling center to augment there, attack made no impact on turnout.

MND-SE (Multi national Division, South East )

-- Basrah: Steady flow of voters. Queues at sites from 50-500 voters.

-- Maysan: ISF troops are voting.

-- An Nasiriyah: Largest voting queues. Very large crowds reported and no attacks reported.

-- All polling stations opened and are experiencing large turnout especially Basra and al Nasiriyah.

-- A mortar team was tracked down and detained as they attempted to hide in a mosque.

-- An Nasiriyah: Large groups of people at and heading toward polling sites.

-- Basrah: Reported explosion at polling. Folks gathering in orderly fashion, consistent turnout.

MNB-NW

-- Mosul: One polling site has more than 3,000 people in line.

-- Ninewa: Lines from 10-10,000 people reported throughout.

-- Seven attacks on polling sites, none have been successful. Voting continues at sites attacked.

-- Mosul: Lt Gov was in route to vote, ambushed, went to alternate polling to cast vote.

-- Mosul: All polling sites are open and turnout is consistent.

-- Mosul: Very large lines at poling center spotted by UAV. Steady flow, lots of women, everything is positive.

MND-CS

-- Babil: A small demonstration at a polling station, no impact to turnout.

-- Al Hilla: Turnout very good and citizens don't show any worry.

-- Besgaer: Seeing a high volume of voters and security situation seems good.

-- Qadisiyah: Medium voter turnout rported with no incidents of violence.

-- Attacks against polling sites ineffective.

-- Voter turnout is moderate at most locations.

-- Al Kut: Quiet but tense, heavy presence of ISF.

-- Baqubah: Long lines are forming at polling centers.

MNF-W

-- Al Anbar: Very light initial turnout is increasing. Total voters is about 850.

-- Brama Fallujah: First female voter at 0740.

-- HIT: Minimal and highly ineffective attacks on two polling centers. Has not deterred voters.

-- Najaf & Karbala: Approximately 90,000 have voted.

-- Al Anbar: Slow start, approximately 2,500 voters.

-- East of Fallujah: 1,000 voters in line.

-- Fallujah: Polls are picking up, 1,000 or so in lines.

-- Fallujah: Light to medium poling reported, no major incidents.

-- Karbala: Consistent turnout. Heavy voter turnout.

-- An Najaf: Consistent turnout at polling sites.

Winning hearts and minds
The MNF has been using cards like these to get the truth out to Iraqis. Obviously, Iraqis are "getting it."
(click for a larger image)


You got to wonder, why do the Iraqis get it but not Sen. Kennedy?
(click for a larger image)

Steven's earlier letters home to us "in the world" are here:

 

Election Results from Those Who Are There
Home