National Police turn out for early voting

Photo By Staff Sgt. Aaron Thacker | A national policeman showes the purple tip of his finger indicating that he voted in early elections today. All Iraqi security forces and emergency services were able to participate in early voting so they can focus security ad emergency response for the general elections Jan. 31.  

BASRA, IRAQ

01.30.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Aaron Thacker 

Multi-National Division-South East Public Affairs

By Staff Sgt. Aaron Thacker
Multi-National Division - Southeast Public Affairs

BASRA, Iraq – Security forces walked the halls of Basra Palace with ink-stained fingers indicating they cast their early ballots for Iraq's national elections Jan. 28.

Early voting was offered to Iraqi security forces and other emergency services so they can be available to provide security for the Jan. 31 general elections.

"This year's election is different from past elections because it is better and safer," said Lt. Col. Ehsan Elaywi Sleman, executive officers, 1st National Police Battalion, Basra Brigade, 4th Division.

Sleman estimates that 80 to 85 percent of NP turned out to vote.

Sleman said that it was difficult to decide on a candidate because the pool was bigger and better, but that he was happy with his choice.

This freedom to choose candidates is causing some voters to question who should stay in power.

"A lot of promises were made and not kept," said 1st Lt. Ahmed Mshawish Kadim, NP officer. "Those people will be voted out."

Some of the politicians were good and will hopefully be re-elected, but the others need to go because they only helped themselves, Kadim said. A lot of the building they did was to their benefit. They would fix up their offices and the roads leading to them, but not elsewhere in the city.

Sleman said that he hopes the new politicians will work hard to make improvements in city infrastructure to include better roads and hospitals.

As for the general elections, NP officials said they are expecting higher turnouts compared to previous elections now that the city is safer.

"We've made a security plan and are ready for election day," Sleman said.

• Date Taken: 01.30.2009
• Date Posted: 01.30.2009 02:56
• Story ID: 29450
• Location: BASRA, IQ