The stability of Iraq’s democracy was tested on Election Day (today), when Baghdad came under attack from mortar rounds. At least 12 people have been killed on the very day when Iraq goes to the polls. As soon as the polls opened at 7 a.m. bombs and mortars began exploding across the city.

There had been threats of disruption to the elections, which rebels view as a justification of U.S presence and the Shiite-led government. A three-storey building which collapsed after a blast in the Shurta region of Baghdad resulted in at least 8 people dead and up to 20 more injured.

The Green Zone, the heavily guarded area housing the U.S. embassy and PM’s office, also came under fire. There are over 6,200 candidates standing for election in competition for 325 seats and the assaults were clearly targeted at deterring people from casting their votes. The borders have been closed, the airports shut down and many thousands of police officers and Iraqi soldiers are in readiness.

Across the city roads are now empty, apart from some daring souls still determined to have their vote. One of those people, Ali Abdul Wahab said, “If we had to crawl, we would crawl”. One has to admire the nerve of people so determined to use their right to democracy. Maybe people in freer countries would appreciate their vote more if they were more aware of the difficulties other people face?

Source: Los Angeles Times