14 October 2005
Iraq Makes Last-Minute Preparations for Constitutional Vote
Number of registered voters, polling sites have risen since January
As Iraq makes final preparations for the October 15 constitutional referendum, there are more than 1 million new registered voters since the January elections.
Even though Iraq’s independent electoral commission might report on initial referendum results as early as October 16, the full outcome of the returns will not be known for several more days. In the October election, unlike in the January election, out-of-country ballots are not allowed, according to an October 13 fact sheet issued by the Defense Department in Washington.
There are 65,000 more Iraqi soldiers available to secure access to polling sites for this election than in January, bringing the full force up to 200,000. Iraqi police and coalition forces also are involved in providing a secure environment to facilitate voting. There are 558 more polling sites to secure than last time.
For more information about Iraqi political developments, see Iraq's Political Process.
Following is the text of the Defense Department fact sheet:
(begin fact sheet)
U.S. Department of Defense
Washington, D.C.
October 13, 2005
Fact Sheet
The Iraq Referendum and Security Plan
Top Line
The Iraqi government is taking decisive action to provide safe and secure conditions so that citizens can utilize the right to participate in the democratic, political process.
The insurgents and terrorists will continue to attack and attempt to disrupt the elections process. An increase in violence through the election period is possible.
Key Facts for The Referendum
The Independent Electoral Commission-Iraq (IECI) is managing the elections.
More than 15.6 million Iraqis are registered to vote. Approximately 14 million Iraqis registered to vote last fall and the turnout for the Jan. 30 elections was about 8 million voters, or 58%. For the referendum, there are an additional 1.3 million voters registered.
Unlike in the January elections, out-of-country voters may not participate in the referendum. Out-of-country voters may, however, participate in the upcoming elections in December. In the January 2005 elections, approximately 265,000 out-of-country voters cast their votes.
There are 171,000 poll workers for the referendum. This is an increase of 69,000 since the Jan. 30 elections.
More than 450,000 thousand Iraqis applied for poll worker positions (110,000 applied in January)
There are 6,235 polling centers for the referendum, in contrast to 5,677 polling centers for the January elections.
IECI anticipates announcing initial results 16 Oct.
Broader Participation Indicators
In al Anbar province, there are 171 polling centers, an increase of 128 since the January elections, when there were 33 polling centers.
In Ninewah province, there are 330 polling centers, an increase of 242 since the January elections, when there were 88 polling centers.
Security Plan
The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has overall security responsibility and has developed a comprehensive security plan for the upcoming elections that will ensure a secure environment for Iraqis who are casting their votes.
All of the more than 200,000 trained and equipped ISF will assist in securing elections in conjunction with MNF-I forces. This is an increase of over 65,000 ISF since the January 2005 elections.
Provincial Iraqi Police commanders are responsible for the provincial security plan.
Iraqi Police station commanders responsible for Polling Center security plan.
Featured elements of the security effort include:
-- Four day public holiday (13-16 Oct.)
-- Nationwide curfew
-- Prohibition against civilians carrying weapons
-- Closing of borders
-- Curtailing and controlling vehicular movement
As in the January elections, Iraqi Security Forces will provide the primary layers of security for the elections. Iraqi Police will provide the close security at the polling centers, while the Iraqi Army will control the areas around the polling centers.
Coalition forces will assist with broad-area security.
Iraqi Security Forces will not only handle the security of the polling centers but will also ensure residents are able to vote without the fear of intimidation.
The number of insurgent attacks per day in Iraq is less than the number of attacks that were experienced per day in the period leading to the January elections.
The insurgents and terrorists will continue to attack and attempt to disrupt the elections process. They won't succeed.
The conditions will not be perfect, but the opportunity for credible elections are set in the vast majority of the country.
(end fact sheet)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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