Release A051212e

Detainee Voter Turn Out Overwhelming

Multi-National Force-Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Nearly 90 percent of all eligible security detainees in Multi-National Forces-Iraq Theater Internment Facilities participated in today’s democratic vote on the Iraqi National Ballot.

MNF-I took special care to ensure that every eligible detainee who wanted to vote was afforded the opportunity. Balloting opened early this morning and continued until all eligible detainee’s passed through the polling stations.

Voting took place at Camp Bucca, Abu Ghraib and Fort Suse TIFs. Extending the vote to all eligible Iraqis is another example of how the rule of law is helping to strengthen the Iraqi society. The right to shape a free and representative democracy is not a privilege for few, but a right of all Iraqis.

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TEXT PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER FOR TASK FORCE 134 (DETAINEE OPERATIONS). For more information, contact LTC GUY RUDISILL AT GUY.RUDISILL@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL.