Iraqi election news

Mohammed at Iraq the Model talks about the incredible amount of activity going on in Iraq right now, having to do with the upcoming elections. He mocks a silly rumor about selling "votes" and "American puppets". The sense you get from reading his report is that elections are inevitable. Meanwhile the Messopotamian posts a brief message of hope.

UDPATE: From Command Post comes this story of PM Allawi announcing increased ING troop strength.

[Interim Iraqi PM]Dr Allawi sounded a warning to those calling for the January 30 polls to be delayed, saying any postponement would only worsen the security situation.

The US-backed Prime Minister has promised an increase in the strength of Iraq's fledgling security forces, saying they will be better trained and equipped to "defeat the terrorists once and for all".

He says "significant new numbers" will graduate this week and reiterated plans to integrate the Paramilitary National Guard into the Army.

"Our new tanks and armoured forces will appear for the first time next week to assure stability and security," he said.

It's only going to get better and better, as more assets come online, more fully trained troops arrive and the terrorists keep getting confronted and killed or detained.

UPDATE 2: A new poll about the election is more good news.

This poll was published in Al-Sabah newspaper showing that “terrorists” have failed to to dissuade Iraqis from votin, many be willing to take on the risks necessary to wrench back control of their nation. Even in a dangerous, quasi democratic election.

The poll was of 4974 Iraqis living in and around Baghdad.

The following is the translation of the poll and the results:

Will the security problems cause you to?
Not come out and vote the day of elections = 18.3%
Come out and vote the day of elections = 78.3%
No opinion = 3.4%

Do you support the Iraqi Government having its own official newspaper?
Yes = 67.7%
No = 30.9%
Do Not know = 1.4%?
Do you support military action against the terrorists?
Yes = 87.7 No = 11.1
Don’t Know = 1.2%

Boy, wouldn't Bush like to have those percentages for an approval rating?