MEDIA OPS CENTER ELECTION SITREPProvincial Highlights Al Anbar (Al Qaim, Ramadi, Fallujah) ·EMT reports from Palestine School polling station in Fallujah: Evidentally, the station has run out of ballots: 2,800 people have voted since morning, and 2,000 voters were turned away because of a lack of ballots. Residents asked to return in the afternoon, when ballots are restocked.
·Al Iraqiya: ISF have arrested a Syrian terrorist along with 10 associates in Fallujah.
·Polling sites that closed because they ran out of ballots: Abu Fishga, Tal Wai, Shura (all in MNF-W)
SITREP#7: FOX (North) reporting an “unexpected turnout” as hundreds lined up at polling stations in Ramadi. Imams: “Responsibility for representation in Baghdad rests on the people of Anbar province.” SITREP#7: MNF-W press release: The polling center at al-Kurmaa Primary School in Karmah opened on time today despite an apparent insurgent attempt Wednesday to damage or destroy it. SITREP#7: Al Arabiya reporting that voting centers in Fallujah are witnessing a huge turnout. Residents, however, are complaining of a shortage of voting boxes: possible that turnout was higher than expected. SITREP#5: CNN covers Sunni perspective during interview with key Sunni official: “Sunnis should vote in very large numbers today. We will have more legitimacy and will hopefully represent the centerpiece of the new Government”. SITREP#5: EMT reports that the lines at the polling booths are not very long, and estimates 350 people have voted as of 1000 in Fallujah. SITREP#5: FOX (North): Reported from a Ramadi polling station where only one person had gone to vote: cited security concerns as reason for low turnout. Reported that mosques have issued two announcements urging Sunnis to vote. Reported on the Green Zone mortar attack: injured three individuals. Baghdad ·Fox updated report on IZ attack: rocket injured US soldier and two maintenance employees.
SITREP#7: FOX reporting that IZ attack may have been a rocket; possibly hit water truck with couple people injured (interview with MG Lynch.) SITREP#6: Al-Iraqiya: PM presser at the convention center: “Democratic experience in Iraq created vibrations in many countries, not only in the region but at the world level.” SITREP#6: BBC interviewed an Iraqi woman in Baghdad after she voted: This election is the “next step for the future,” and the “biggest step in 30 years.” SITREP#6: Al Iraqiya: Some staff of Al-Jazeera TV Office in Baghdad resign protesting a program broadcast by Al-Jazeera TV which insulted Shiite Top Cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. SITREP#6: Iraqi ministers of defense and interior conducted a joint press opportunity after voting at the Convention Center: expected to travel together to Al Adhamiya in northern Baghdad this afternoon. SITREP#6: EMT reports “a lot of cameras, a lot of individual news conferences. No problems” at the convention center. Line of people includes members of the National Assembly and ordinary Iraqis who live within the IZ.
SITREP#5: AFP: Two civilians were injured when three mortar rounds struck Sadr City and the central neighborhood of Bab al-Muadahm of Baghdad. SITREP#5: BBC: Video of Baghdad blast, Jafari voting and CG Casey predicting high Sunni voter turnout SITREP#5: FOX News: Baghdad settling down after loud explosion, sirens, take cover warning issued: no casualties reported. Diyala (Baqubah) SITREP#5: Al Arabiya covered an IECI press conference: Dispelled rumors about an attack that happened in Baquba--IECI stated that though there were scattered attacks, none hit election sites and no one was reported injured. IECI reemphasized that journalists can only vote in the polling center where they are registered: allowing them to vote anywhere would open the door for trouble SITREP#5: Al Arabiya: Reporting about the increased number of people at elections site in Baquba as compared to the last elections. Maysan (Al Amarah) ·Al-Baghdadiya: Wide participation across the province: A man carried his mother so she could participate.
Ninewah (Tal Afar, Mosul) ·FOX reporting that a roadside bomb in Mosul injured a policeman.
SITREP#7: Tal Afar: EMT reports few mortars hit area, but people still continued coming into the polls. One voter: “Thank you George Bush” SITREP#7: Mosul: EMT reports that most voters are of Turkish background, but there were Sunni and Shias present. EMT reports a peaceful scene complete with Iraqis dancing in the streets and waving Iraqi and Kurdish flags. “They are excited, smiling … it is really really, positive.”
Najaf ·Al Hurra: Provincial IECI official stating no problems; voting going well.
Salah Ad Dihn (Baji, Tikrit, Samarra) SITREP#7: Tikrit: Political officer estimates 19,000 voters so far. Tamim (Kirkuk) SITREP#7: Dahuk: EMT reports voter turnout is particularly high in the poorer, working class areas where there appears to be much more support for the Kurdistan Islamic Union. SITREP#6: REO reports from a Kirkuk polling center: High turnout with 75% of registered voters voting by 10am. There is a steady trickle of voters and no problems reported. People are dressed in festive clothing and some were observed waving Kurdistan Flags. SITREP#5: Political officer reports calmness at polling stations in Kirkuk: people are dressing in their finest; some are waving Kurdish flags. Predicts the beginning of a good turnout.