Iraq voter turnout better than expected

Voters meet little resistance at polls, thanks to efforts of 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry

Laura M. Levering/Northwest Guardian

Soldiers with 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division helped shape history and brought the people of Iraq one step closer to being free, and U.S. forces a step closer to coming home.

Speaking on behalf of Col. John Norris and the rest of 4th Bde., 2nd Inf. Div., Lt. Col. Darron Wright told reporters during a video press conference Monday that this year’s Iraq election was nothing short of a success.

Training and working alongside their counterparts – the 6th Iraqi Armor Division – 4th Bde., 2nd Inf. Div. Soldiers spent months preparing for the monumental day, and it paid off.

In the area of operations covered by 4th Bde., 2nd Inf. Div., which includes parts of western Baghdad and Abu Ghraib, voters met very little resistance in getting to the polls.

Bombs began erupting around 7 a.m., and ended shortly before noon. But, putting the size of the area in perspective, Wright compared the brigade’s AO to a city the size of Baltimore, with a population of about 2.5 million and 18 high-profile government buildings. Of the 40 incidents reported in the brigade area, the most deadly was an improvised explosive device in a house that killed six civilians and wounded four.

“A majority of these reports were small explosions that have been dubbed ‘Coke-bottle IEDs,’ much like a small firework,” Wright said. “They were used to portray chaos and disrupt voter participation in the elections.”

Wright noted that out of the 463 polling stations in the brigade’s area of operations, none was attacked or closed due to violence. Voter turnout ranged from about 55 to 80 percent — much better than the Soldiers expected it would be.

Wright said that insurgents tried to “create a perception that Baghdad was under siege,” when in fact “they failed in their attempt to deter the voters.”

Adding to the success of the election was the Iraqi Security Force’s initiative and response to incidents.

“In spite of the threat, it was consistent all day with voters feeling confident and safe because of the efforts of the ISF, and they continued to vote all day up until the polls closed at approximately (5 p.m.),” Wright said.

The brigade had 21 platoon-sized quick-reaction forces standing by, ready to assist their Iraqi counterparts, but they did not receive a single call for help. All incidents were handled by the Iraqis, Wright said, a true testimony to the ISF’s growing capability to secure and protect its nation.

Wright said the election’s success came as a result of the brigade’s Soldiers working and training alongside their Iraqi counterparts for months leading up to election day. In doing so, they created a bond that allowed Soldiers to offer support by advising and assisting their Iraqi partners without taking the lead.

“Iraqis truly believe that we have set our focus on unifying the efforts of the U.S. Forces, the Iraqi Army, the Iraqi Police and the Federal Police,” Wright said.

He also credited the ISF and Government of Iraq for providing a safe and secure environment for democracy to take hold.

“They performed way above expectation, and they are well on their way to being a free and sovereign nation.”

To see images of Iraqis going to the polls, visit the following gallery:

Iraqis head to the polls