Iraqis say they will vote

Friends of Democracy published the results of a poll that shows, despite the violence, many Iraqis intend to vote.

72.4 % of all of those polled said they would participate in the elections. [Ed.: If so, Iraqi voting will vastly outstrip participation here in the U.S., where 56% of eligible voters contributed to a record turnout in 2004.]

97% of Iraqis in Kurdistan said they would participate in the elections.


96% of Iraqis in the southern provinces (mainly Shiite areas) said they would participate in the elections.


33% of Iraqis in the central provinces (Sunni Area) said they would participate in the elections.


10% of Iraqis in Central provinces (Sunni Area) said they have not yet made their mind if they were going to vote or not.


62.1% of those polled said that the elections will be neutral and free.


17.8% said elections will not be neutral and free.


66% said that the elections must take place under current circumstances.


53.3% said the security is good in their area.


21.7% said that security was average in their area.


25% said that security was bad in their area.

Gee, I thought security was terrible all over Iraq.