WAR: Iraq Must Vote Despite Problems, UN Official Says, page 1

Despite the ongoing attacks to thwart the elections, UN Officials state the elections will commence unless a political consensus was reached or violence makes it nearly impossible to achieve. So far, the preparations for the elections are on schedule. However, Iraqi politicians have recommended a delay due to the fact they think that Iraqis are intimidated and will not vote come January 30th.

www.reuters.com
Iraq must push ahead with Jan. 30 elections despite relentless bloodshed, voter intimidation and attacks on electoral staff, the chief U.N. election official in the country said Sunday.

"So far, electoral preparations are on track. That's why the Electoral Commission feels that there is no reason to stop the elections, to postpone the elections, to delay the elections," he told Reuters in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

The influential Sunni Muslim Clerics Association, which has always said it would have no part in elections while U.S.-led forces remain on Iraqi soil, has called on voters to boycott the ballot over U.S.-led attacks on Sunni cities like Falluja.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

The UN requires that the elections go ahead on this. And like it has been said before, its imperative the elections commence, so that it shows there is no weakness within the Iraqi government. Yes, certain parties will pull out and decide not to vote, but that will be their suffering when it comes to certain votes in establishing the country as a whole.

Here is a thread similar to what is already posted, this must have been done about the same time or so, sorry FredT.
www.abovetopsecret.com...

[edit on 9/1/05 by mscbkc070904]