VZCZCXRO0046
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #0260/01 0311428
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 311428Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1507
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 000260 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2019 
TAGS: PGOV PINR SOCI KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQI PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS -- POLLS OPEN, VOTING 
UNDERWAY 
 
Classified By: Acting DCM Robert Ford for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (C)  Summary:  Voting in Iraq's provincial elections is 
underway.  The vast majority of 39,000 polling stations 
around the country are reported to have opened as scheduled 
at 0700 and UNAMI confirmed at 1200 that all polling centers 
are now open.  U.S. election observer teams report heavy 
security at all sites, with Iraqi security forces generally 
operating in a professional manner.  UNAMI reports that 
glitches, where they have occurred, have been within normal 
margins and have been addressed in a timely manner.  As of 
1500 local, turnout, thus far, has been uneven, high in some 
areas (Baghdad, Sinjar, Bayji, Falluja) and lighter in others 
(Salah ad-Din, Diyala, Ramadi, Basra).  There have been a 
small number of security incidents reported thus far - in 
Salah ad-Din, Diyala and Ninewa -- but none resulting in any 
casualties.  End Summary. 
 
Turnout 
------ 
 
¶2.  (C) Turnout in Baghdad has been heavy at all locations. 
PRT Ninewa reports heavy turnout in Sinjar and disputed 
areas, while turnout in Mosul was initially light -- although 
this is expected to increase later in the day. ePRT Falluja 
reports a solid turnout at two sites visited in the morning. 
U.S. observer teams report heavy turnout in Karbala, Maysan 
and Dhi Qar, while turnout in Basra and Najaf are lighter 
than expected.  PRT Salah ad-Din also reported lighter than 
expected turnout thus far, with polling staff commenting that 
"some people are afraid to vote for security reasons."  PRT 
Diyala reports light turnout as well in the morning, but also 
expects it to increase in the afternoon. 
 
Security 
-------- 
 
¶3.  (C)  For the most part, morning voting has proceeded 
without reports of violence.  ISF are reported to be 
performing in a professional manner, although there were 
reports from Salah ad-Din that some Iraqi police were using 
"excessive gestures" with weapons to warn away voters 
approaching polling centers in vehicles.  The following 
incidents have been reported: 
 
-  In Tikrit, four mortar rounds were fired in the vicinity 
of a polling center.  There were no casualties or damage 
reported, and no adverse impact on voting at the site. 
 
-- Salah ad-Din PRT reports an unknown explosion near a 
polling site, but no causalities or damage.  ISF are 
investigating. 
 
-  In Ninewa there was a report of small arms fire near a 
polling center that apparently resulted in one death.  Also, 
in Ninewa, one pipe bomb was discovered in a trash can 500 
yards from a polling center.  It was disposed of and there 
were no injures. 
 
Logistics/Mechanics 
------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C) Overall, reports are that voting procedures are 
working well, with polling centers well-organized and 
well-staffed, and voting proceeding in an orderly fashion. 
UNAMI reports that glitches, where they have occurred, have 
been within normal margins and have been addressed in a 
timely manner.  Four polling centers in Taji did not open on 
time, but were confirmed to have done so later in the 
morning.  There were no female searchers at a polling station 
in the Rashid neighborhood of Baghdad when polls opened. 
This was rectified later in the morning and female voters 
were then allowed to begin voting.  There is one report that 
the ISF was turning back voters heading into the city center. 
This is being investigated.  There have been isolated reports 
of voters names not being on the register, with those 
individuals told to go to their correct polling center. 
 
Atmospherics 
------------ 
 
¶5.  (C) Many observer teams are reporting a very positive, 
Q5.  (C) Many observer teams are reporting a very positive, 
enthusiastic, and even festive mood at many polling stations. 
U.S. observer teams confirm the presence of Iraqi elections 
observers at many sites.  In Baghdad, observers 
reported men, women and even whole families lined up 
together. 
 
Maliki Talks to the Press 
------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (U) PM Maliki addressed the press when he cast his ballot 
 
BAGHDAD 00000260  002 OF 002 
 
 
at the Illaf polling station, stating "This day is a day of 
joy and pleasure for all Iraqis because they, through their 
participation in the elections, assert their responsibility 
and practice their right within the framework of the states 
administration and in accordance with the Constitution." 
Maliki said that Iraq's Arab neighbors, others in the region 
and the international community will rejoice at Iraq's 
demonstration of democracy, and called on Iraqi security 
forces to remain vigilant in order to provide the necessary 
protection to polling centers and voters. 
 
¶7.  (U) At 1200 noon local, IHEC held its first of two 
scheduled press conferences for the day.  Providing a factual 
summary of the day's proceedings, IHEC commissioner noted 
that there are 15 million registered voters, 100,000 domestic 
observers and 400 international observers, 400 accredited 
international media and 1200 accredited domestic media.  IHEC 
will hold a second press conference at 1900, two hours after 
polls close. 
 
 
CROCKER