Release A051215b
Polling stations secure despite sporadic violence
Multi-National Force-Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Security Forces throughout the capitol city reported incidents of small-arms fire and discovered an improvised explosive device planted near a polling station on the eve of national elections. No polling sites were damaged and no election officials were harmed as Task Force Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi Security Forces tightened security throughout the city Dec. 14. Iraqi Security Forces will be keeping the city safe for the national elections Dec. 15—85,000 more than there were for the Constitutional Referendum Oct. 15, totaling about 225,000 personnel.
Iraqi Security Forces have the lead for election security and are working hand-in-hand with the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq to ensure Iraqi citizens will be able to vote in a secure environment. U.S. Soldiers will maintain a secure outer perimeter away from the polling stations. While conducting a security patrol in east Baghdad Dec. 14, Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery received a tip that explosives had been planted next to a polling site. The Soldiers discovered two suspicious cylinders at the site and requested assistance from Iraqi Police. The Iraqi Police secured the IED and later turned it over to the 3rd Public Order Brigade which later disposed of the explosives.
Around 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14, a patrol from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Iraqi Army Brigade investigated an explosion in east Baghdad. One Iraqi man was found dead at the scene. Witnesses told the Iraqi Soldiers that the man had been setting up an IED when it went off, killing him and wounding two other individuals.
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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE TASK FORCE BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS PLANS AND OPERATIONS NCO, MASTER SGT DAVID ABRAMS AT: DAVID.ABRAMS@ID3.ARMY.MIL.
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