Robert Tagorda writing at OTB has some numbers to help put the upcoming Iraqi vote into perspective.
The Vote
- More than 14 million Iraqis and over 280,000 expatriates are registered to vote.
- Approximately 6,000 voting centers span Iraq.
- Expatriates cast their ballots in 14 different countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Iran, Jordan, Netherlands, Sweden, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kindom, and United States.
- There are 256 political entities recognized to participate: 27 individuals, 33 coalitions of parties, and 196 parties.
- There are 18,900 candidates competing in 20 different elections: the national election, the Kurdistan election, and 18 provincial elections.
Logistics
- There are 60 million individual ballot sheets and 90,000 ballot boxes in Iraq.
- More than 200,000 Iraqis have signed up as poll workers or monitors.
- About 200 Iraqis will “put together the final tally of the [voting] results” in Baghdad headquarters.
- Forty UN electoral assistance officers will provide technical support.
Public Opinion
- About 65% of Iraqis are “very likely” to vote; 17% are “somewhat likely.”
- In Baghdad, 58% are “very likely”; 17% are “somewhat likely.”
- In Kurdish areas, 74% are “very likely”; 18% are “somewhat likely.”
- In Sunni areas, 21% are “very likely”; 32% are “somewhat likely.”
- Among Shiites, 77% are “very likely”; 14% are “somewhat likely.”
- Among Kurds, 71% are “very likely”; 19% are “somewhat likely.”
- Among Sunnis, 20% are “very likely”; 29% are somewhat likely”; and 29% are “very unlikely.”
There are some qualifiers and he lists all his sources.
But I think there is more to it than just numbers… Those numbers represent people.
When we talk about winning the “hearts and minds” I bet the election will be a turning point for many people. This is not the first election in Iraq… It is just the first one where you could vote for anyone but Saddam Hussein and not get shot.
I don’t live in Iraq so this is only speculation but I bet as many people walk into the voting booth and for the first time their vote actually means something, that it will “hit them.” They’ll finally “get” what it means to be free.
I remember the first time I voted… I felt 42 feet tall. Likewise I remember bringing my nephew into the polling booth with me and teaching the next generation how it all worked. Call me corny, but I felt 43 feet tall.
I can’t help but believe that same feeling will infect millions of Iraqis on Sunday.
And that, my friends, is a beautiful thing.
Update: If you liked Robert’s numbers, Eric over at Slowplay went hypersonic with it.
Do you get one of those “I voted” stickers?
I know that many will die and I don’t really want to see the numbers over there, but the right to vote is worth it every single time. There will be many explosions – but in the United States of America – we now represent that noise during our 4th of July celebrations.
God bless and continued success to our troops and the Iraqi citizens.
Julie, I think that most will be in disbelief that they just “voted” for representation. The weight of their opinion will count for something for the first time in a long time. I can only imagine the feeling, I guess.
…I just want to bust some old school breakdance moves for these people, but maybe I’ll save it for Sunday night.
Thanks for the link. I think you’re absolutely right to point out that “those numbers represent people.”
Part of my intention in posting the basic information is to establish a baseline for how the election should be assessed next week. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the media downplay the outcome, whatever it may be. At least, with the general data out there, we can check the political spin.
Robert, I had originally posted the fact that considering we usually get in the mid 50% in a Presidential and less in local races that 50% would be incredible to everyone except the media who will spin it that 50% were too scared to vote. (glass half empty)
But then I decided I liked by second point better than the first and that I liked it so much better I wanted it to stand alone.
But you’re right, it will be interesting to see how they spin it.
The registered voter number is interesting. I think that there are less than 15 million eligible voters, so 14 million registered would be 93%. I saw the same figure on whitehouse.gov and state.gov but I’m think it must be eligible rather than registered.
Let’s hope it is a turning point, and not just in Iraq but the whole middle east. Our policy is daring, with the potential for huge rewards at the end. Just as Reagan defeated the Ruskies, despite the liberal hand wringers of his time, we’ll know for sure in about 10 years.
– Heres a few more to throw on the pile…
– Voting in Virginia and Australia commenced today….
– Stateside Iraqi exiles are not expected to turn out in great numbers since there are only six nationwide polling places available and traveling will be difficult for many who would otherwise like too cast a ballot for the first time in their lives….
sarcasm on/- Kennedy stopped drinking long enough to mention his support for all the good things America and our troops are trying to do for the Iraqi’s…
– Then he woke up and remembered he’s the king of the AssHats and barfed on the podium…./sarcasm off
I AM PROUD OF ALL THE IRAQIES THAT MADE IT THROUGH THE ELECTION. WE ALL WERE WORRIED ABOUT OUR PEOPLE IN IRAQ, BUT TAHNKS GOD THAT EVERYTHING WAS ALL RIGHT. GOD BLESS IRAQ AND GOD BLESS AMERICA. I HOPE THAT THE GROUP THAT WE VOTED FOR ARE THE ONES WHO WINS AND CAN BRING JOY FOR OUR COUNTRY. I BELIEVE THAT IF NUMBER 169 WINS, THEN IRAQ AND IRAQIES WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!