Photo By Sgt. David Turner | Representatives of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq visited election...... read more read more
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By Sgt. David Turner
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Public Affairs Office
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Representatives of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq visited election sites and met with members of the provincial government in Najaf Aug. 11-12, 2008.
David Shearer, deputy special representative to the general secretary, led the 10-person team, which paid a surprise visit to voter registration sites to assess Najaf province's preparedness for anticipated elections later this year.
The team reported that conditions at voter registration sites were excellent, and security measures were in place to facilitate a safe environment for the upcoming election.
"They are ready. They've done a good job setting everything up," said Maj. Anthony Campbell, team chief of the military transition team, which works with Iraqi security forces in the area.
"The Iraqi police and Iraqi army have been working very hard to make sure all the election sites are ready."
Campbell said local officials have done much to encourage voter participation in the upcoming election. Television ads and flyers helped spread the word and educate citizens about the political process.
"They've already got more people registered to vote than who voted in the last election – that's pretty significant," Campbell said.
Efforts began four months ago to prepare for the elections, including training election officials in registering voters and operating polling sites, he said. Local tribal and religious leaders have also done their part to encourage voter participation.
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.16.2008 05:58 |
| Story ID: | 22560 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 246 |
| Downloads: | 237 |
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