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| Sunday, 16 October 2005 |
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Iraq votes on new constitution BAGHDAD, Oct 15 (AFP) - Iraqis began voting amid tight security Saturday in a landmark referendum on a constitution drafted to turn another page on the ousted regime of Saddam Hussein. Around 15.5 million Iraqis were registered to vote on the charter, but a key question was how many would brave threats to cast their ballots after insurgents vowed to disrupt the democratic process. But even a strict security lockdown did not prevent triple Al-Qaeda-claimed rebel attacks Friday against a leading Sunni political party that now backs the charter, and a sabotage attack that cut electricity to Baghdad. President Jalal Talabani called Friday on the many Sunni Arabs who oppose the charter to choose politics over violence and to vote in the referendum. "The Sunni Arab brothers should understand that their aspirations will be achieved through political action and not violence and terrorist acts," Talabani, a Kurd, told the private Asharqia television channel. Chief electoral officer Adil al-Lami hailed the referendum as "a major step towards a democratic Iraq." Shortly after polls opened, dozens of men and women began to enter a voting station in central Baghdad. Around 40 policemen were checking identity papers and searched voters before they cast their ballots, a correspondent said. Mobile telephones were not allowed inside the stations. Baghdad streets and markets were almost deserted, while the power cut continued to force many in the capital to rely on portable generators. Saboteurs had attacked the main power line between northern Kirkuk and Baiji that serves Baghdad, an interior ministry source said. The main southern city of Basra was also blacked out overnight. Insurgents also harassed electoral officials by firing on four polling stations in southern Baghdad late Friday, though no casualties were reported, an interior ministry source said. Many Sunnis, about 20 percent of Iraq's 26 million population, fear that federal provisions in the draft charter could lead to the break-up of Iraq and leave control of its vast oil wealth in the hands of Shiites and Kurds. A total of 15.5 million Iraqis have been called to cast their vote on the draft charter, which requires a simple majority for approval. To reject it, two-thirds of the votes in at least three of Iraq's 18 provinces are needed. Iraqi Shiite and Kurdish legislators reached a deal with Sunni colleagues
Wednesday approving last-minute additions to the draft, including the
creation of a panel to consider further amendments after new elections on
December 15. |
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