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BAGHDAD - U.S. soldiers from the 571st Military Police Company and the Joint Area Support Group-Central security directorate have been working round the clock since May 2 on request from the Iraqi government to augment the security surrounding the partial recount of the Baghdad parliamentary election ballots.
Several weeks ago, an Iraqi review panel decided to unseal the roughly 11,300 ballot boxes and recount more than two million ballots after a complaint from Maliki's bloc alleged fraud in the initial tally of ballots in Baghdad, which holds more than a fifth of the seats in parliament.
Officials had expected the Baghdad recount to take as long as two weeks to complete. However, thus far, they have been right on schedule. By May 12, 74 percent or approximately 8,500 ballot boxes had been processed.
The 571st and JASG-C fulfilled the request for support from the Iraqi government by providing movement and security over-watch coordination as the ballot boxes traveled from their storage facility outside the International Zone to the Al Rasheed Hotel, which is located inside the IZ.
"This is why we are here, I am glad for the opportunity to be taking part in something this historic event. I think everyone in my team is ready for this, ready to assist should we be needed," said 1st Lt. Angela Zecca, the 571st MP Company quick reaction force team leader.
Maj. David Burger, JASG-C security directorate, explained the recount processes as he watched a line of counters leaving the second shift grow: "Each day 700 counters come through the front gate, in two different shifts."
"They unseal the boxes by district, count the votes, put the results on a tally sheet and reseal the boxes. The tally sheets are then taken back to the IHEC and compared to the original results."
"If there are discrepancies with the original results, a second recount is done, if not the results are validated and reported up."
In the Al Rasheed hotel, a flurry of activity can be seen throughout the day under the watchful gaze of Mr. Qassim Al-Darraji, the Independent High Electoral Commision general manager.
When asked how the Iraqi people feel about the transparency of the recount and whether the results will be accepted a second time, Qassim said: "As for me, I don't speak for the Iraqi people."
"I can say, however, the counters are under constant observation. There are roughly 600 outside observers and 14 national media organizations covering this event."
This is truly a national event, evidence of which can be seen in the counters themselves. While many are from the Baghdad province, just as many are not from the urban district.
Samy Hayder Wali, a farmer from Mosul, said he became a part of the group because it was his responsibility. He is here representing his community.
"I am here because it is a good job, with good money and will be good for my family," said Kirkuk resident, Saad Ali Gaseem
Patriotic pride played its part in pulling Iraqis to this stressful temporary position. "We are here, we are doing this ourselves because we love our country," said Hayder Mustafa, a Baghdad resident.
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2010 01:36 |
| Story ID: | 49712 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 284 |
| Downloads: | 266 |
This work, Troops Support Ballot Recount on Request, by SSG Melissa Bright, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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