Surprise at Iraqi poll turnout

2005-01-30 21:37

Baghdad - Preliminary turnout estimates for Iraq's general elections on Sunday hinted at strong participation in all provinces, although official figures were still being compiled, electoral commission officials said.

Electoral commission member Adel al-Lami initially announced a 72% turnout three hours before polling stations closed, before backpeddling by explaining that the figure was based on very rough estimates.

Lami later said the expected turnout was around eight million voters -- or roughly 60 percent.

"Turnout figures recently announced by the IECI (electoral commission) representatives represent the enormous and understandable enthusiasm felt in the field on this historic day," said a commission statement after polling ended.

"However these figures are very rough, word of mouth estimates gathered informally from the field," said the statement, without providing any new figures.

"What is certainly the case is that turnout has exceeded expectations throughout the country," it added. An official turnout estimate could be announced late Sunday or Monday.

The initial figures included surprisingly high voter numbers around central Iraq where the rebels have carried out attack after attack.

In Diyala province, 50% of registered voters had turned out; 60% in Salahuddin; 60% in the province of Tamim where the oil centre of Kirkuk is located.

In figures for the capital, 65% voted in Baghdad's eastern Rusafa district and 95% in the western Karkh district.

Among Iraqi expatriates, at least 90% of registered voters cast their ballots in 14 countries, the International Organisation for Migration said on Sunday.

- AFP