"When I look at the ink on my finger - this is a mark of freedom... I didn't think I would live long enough to see this moment." - Kassim Abood (During the Iraqi elections voter's index fingers were dipped in indelible ink to indicate they had voted, the terrorist gangs in Iraq threatened to behead anyone found with the mark.)
"We had all kinds of feelings in our minds while we were on our way to the ballot box except one feeling that never came to us, that was fear. We could smell pride in the atmosphere this morning. Everyone we saw was holding up his blue-tipped finger with broad smiles on the faces while walking out of the center. I couldn’t think of a scene more beautiful than that..." – Iraqi Citizen
"I have been waiting for this day, I have been dreaming of this day to tell my grandchildren that in the first election in the history of Iraq I was the first woman to vote." - Lamaa Jamal Talabani
"This is democracy... This is the first day I feel freedom." - Karfia Abbasi, Iraqi Citizen living in the so-called "triangle of death"
"My family and my children are very happy. The people should be united and not be afraid. We were afraid for 35 years under the oppression of Saddam, and today is our chance." - Muhanned Fadhil
Recent headlines concerning the war in Iraq have focused on the loss of human lives, the ongoing insurgency, and the possibility of increased terrorist activity leading up to the Iraqi elections. However, the elections took place over the weekend, on schedule, and with limited disruptions.
Results of the voting will be revealed during the next 10 days as votes are counted, those candidates elected to the 275-member transitional National Assembly will choose a largely ceremonial president and two vice-presidents. They, in turn, will pick a prime minister and a cabinet that must be ratified by the assembly. The newly elected assembly, which will serve an 11-month term, must then begin the arduous task of drafting a constitution. Iraqis will hold a national referendum in October to accept or reject the constitution. If the document is approved, Iraqis will vote in December for a permanent government under the constitution. If the document is rejected, Iraqis will repeat the whole process, voting for a new transitional assembly to draft a new constitution.
Just a litte something that I found,
