It Has Begun

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EARLY VOTING is underway on Iraq’s constitutional referendum.

STARS & STRIPES:

****U.S. soldiers who have been training their Iraqi counterparts say they will step aside and leave Saturday’s election — and the heavy security around the polls — to the Iraqi police and army. Both U.S. and Iraqi forces view this as a critical test for the fledgling home-grown troops and their ability to operate independently.

WASHINGTON POST:

****In the heart of the Sunni triangle, Saturday’s vote has laid bare two distinct visions of Iraq. For Iraq’s minority Sunni Arabs, the referendum has brought forth the grievances that have fueled their two-year insurgency: their political disenfranchisement and the humiliation of being forced to live under U.S. military occupation. For the Americans who patrol the streets, facing daily bombings and small-arms attacks, the referendum embodies their best hope to stem that insurgency and ultimately withdraw from Iraq.

AP:

The question of whether Iraq’s constitution passes or fails will come down to three “swing” provinces, each of which has a majority Sunni population, but also large Shiite or Kurdish communities.MOHAMMED (IRAQ THE MODEL):

****Only hours separate us from a major historic day for our nation (too many historic days for Iraq in these two years!). Tomorrow will draw a line that would mark the beginning of a new era in Iraq; a constitutional Iraq will become reality.

CHESTER plans to begin live-blogging the referendum overnight.

Hat Tip
 
There is no more beautiful sight in the world other than a brand new baby.
 
http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg....jpg?x=262&y=345&sig=285mF0gISFGBdDTd.5kVsg--
An Iraqi raises his inked finger after voting in the constitutional referendum in the Sunni-dominated town of Falluja, about 50 km (30 miles) west of Baghdad, October 15, 2005.

This gentleman probably voted no on the Constitution. The important thing is that he voted.

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/rids/20051015/i/r4107343385.jpg?
Minaa Ishaak, 82, raises his inked finger after casting his vote in a constitutional referendum in Baghdad October 15, 2005. ‘I am voting for Iraq’s future and the future of my children,’ said Ishaak after voting ‘yes’ in the referendum.

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/rids/20051015/i/r1973728522.jpg?
Iraqis wait in line to vote in the constitutional referendum in the holy city of Najaf, 160km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, October 15, 2005.
 
Polls close for vote on Iraq constitution

Insurgent attacks fall flat.

Insurgents attacked five of Baghdad’s 1,200 polling stations with shootings and bombs, wounding seven voters, but there were no major attacks reported as U.S. and Iraqi forces clamped down with major security measures around balloting sites. As polls closed at 10 a.m. EDT, many rounds of gunfire were heard. It was unclear whether the gunfire was celebratory or part of a clash.

Only three reported deaths

So far, a roadside bomb has killed three Iraqi soldiers in northeast Iraq and six people were wounded during attacks by insurgents on four of Baghdad’s 1,200 polling stations in the constitutional referendum, police said.

CNN has video of one of the polls and reports millions have voted.

Hat Tip
 
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