09-03-2004, 05:50
Associated Press
BAGHDAD, IRAQ, AL ANBAR - Over a week ago, President Saddam Hussein declared that "Presidential Elections are to be held early, in order to reconfirm the support of both the Iraqi and Syrian peoples for the leadership of Al Anbar." That day has finally come.
Polling stations opened up early today, at approximately 6:00AM throughout Al Anbar. Most polling stations were inside schools, universities, and Ba'ath Party HQs throughout the country. Everyone is allowed to vote in secrecy, and has two options. The question on the voting ballot is 'Do you wish to re-elect President Saddam Hussein for another five years?', and people can either mark 'yes' or 'no.'
While the vote is done in secrecy, many people believe that the government has someway of tracing these ballots back to their voter, and many are opting to vote 'yes', others that are in opposition simply do not mark their cards at all. Also common in many of the polling stations are people who will draw blood from you so that you can mark your card in your blood - reconfirming your loyalty to the government and to the President.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38342000/jpg/_38342589_iraq_ref_afp_150.jpg
A voter preparing to have her blood drawn for the vote.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38342000/jpg/_38342799_afp_bloodvote3x300.jpg
The voting ballot, with a person's 'Yes' vote in blood.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38342000/jpg/_38342571_iraq_ref_afp_300.jpg
Outside many polling locations, crowds of young and old men and women have gathered, waving Iraqi flags and holding pictures of Saddam Hussein and also chanting pro-Saddam slogans.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38342000/jpg/_38342811_ap_box150x300.jpg
The voting box.
It is expected that Saddam Hussein will win atleast 90% of the Yes vote.
BAGHDAD, IRAQ, AL ANBAR - Over a week ago, President Saddam Hussein declared that "Presidential Elections are to be held early, in order to reconfirm the support of both the Iraqi and Syrian peoples for the leadership of Al Anbar." That day has finally come.
Polling stations opened up early today, at approximately 6:00AM throughout Al Anbar. Most polling stations were inside schools, universities, and Ba'ath Party HQs throughout the country. Everyone is allowed to vote in secrecy, and has two options. The question on the voting ballot is 'Do you wish to re-elect President Saddam Hussein for another five years?', and people can either mark 'yes' or 'no.'
While the vote is done in secrecy, many people believe that the government has someway of tracing these ballots back to their voter, and many are opting to vote 'yes', others that are in opposition simply do not mark their cards at all. Also common in many of the polling stations are people who will draw blood from you so that you can mark your card in your blood - reconfirming your loyalty to the government and to the President.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38342000/jpg/_38342589_iraq_ref_afp_150.jpg
A voter preparing to have her blood drawn for the vote.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38342000/jpg/_38342799_afp_bloodvote3x300.jpg
The voting ballot, with a person's 'Yes' vote in blood.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38342000/jpg/_38342571_iraq_ref_afp_300.jpg
Outside many polling locations, crowds of young and old men and women have gathered, waving Iraqi flags and holding pictures of Saddam Hussein and also chanting pro-Saddam slogans.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38342000/jpg/_38342811_ap_box150x300.jpg
The voting box.
It is expected that Saddam Hussein will win atleast 90% of the Yes vote.