Initial results indicate that Iraqis approved their constitution in yesterday's election:
Iraq's landmark constitution seemed assured of passage after initial results Sunday showed that a strong push by minority Sunni Arabs to veto fell short — a major step in the attempt to establish a democratic government that could set the stage for the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops:
Opponents failed to secure the necessary two-thirds "no" vote in any three of Iraqi's 18 provinces, according to counts that local officials provided to The Associated Press. In the crucial central provinces with mixed ethnic and religious populations, enough Shiites and Kurds voted to stymie the Sunni bid to reject the constitution.
According to the Associated Press, only in Anbar province did the no vote reach the two-thirds threshold. Sunnis hold a large majority in Anbar and as many as 90 percent of voters cast ballots. A two-thirds "No" vote in three of Iraq's 18 provinces would block the constitution even if most Iraqis backed it.
Reuters reports that the turnout was greater than for Iraq's January elections:
Electoral Commission chief Hussein al-Hendawi told Reuters turnout was running at 63-64 percent, above the 58 percent seen in January when many Sunnis boycotted the country's first elections after the fall of Saddam Hussein, who is a Sunni.
[. . .]
Carina Perelli, who leads a team of U.N. advisers working with Iraq officials, stressed that final results were still days away and any early estimates were "impressionistic."
President Bush congratulated Iraqis on the successful election:
On behalf of the American people, I'd like to congratulate the people of Iraq for the successful completion of a vote on their draft constitution. By all indications, the turnout was greater than the turnout from the last January election, which is good news. By all indications, the Sunnis participated in greater numbers in this election than last time. And that's good news. After all, the purpose of a democracy is to make sure everybody is -- participates in the process.
I'm also pleased, from the initial indications, that the level of violence was considerably less than the last election. That's a tribute to the Iraqis -- forces who we've trained, as well as coalition forces that worked hard to make sure that democracy could move forward in Iraq.
This is a very positive day for the Iraqis and, as well, for world peace. Democracies are peaceful countries. The vote today in Iraq stands in stark contrast to the attitudes and philosophy and strategy of al Qaeda and its terrorist friends and killers. We believe, and the Iraqis believe, the best way forward is through the democratic process. Al Qaeda wants to use their violent ways to stop the march of democracy because democracy is the exact opposite of what they believe is right.
We're making progress toward peace. We're making progress toward an ally that will join us in the war on terror, that will prevent al Qaeda from establishing safe haven in Iraq, and a country that will serve as an example for others who aspire to live in freedom.
So, again, I congratulate the Iraqi people. I thank you for meeting this milestone. Thank you for doing what is right, to set the foundations for peace for future generations to come.
Iraq's Sunni minority may be frustrated by the results of the election, but the fact that they participated instead boycotting as they did January's elections is another giant step in the effort to bring democracy to Iraq.
Iraqi's will go to the polls again on December 15. This time to elect a new parliament.
Comments