Saturday, January 10, 2009
Democracy in Iraq: Into the fray!
It certainly looks as though people are getting into the swing of democracy in Iraq: This sounds like an American city in the 19th century:
As Iraq nears its provincial elections day, Jan. 31, residents are faced with ballots that could make even a seasoned voter's head spin. In total across the country, 14,400 candidates representing 407 political entities are vying for 440 seats.
Fourteen of Iraq's 18 provinces are holding elections, and the crowded field in some of them -- in Baghdad alone, there are more than 2,400 candidates -- is only one of the challenges facing those seeking office. They also must deal with security concerns and questionable campaign tactics of some contenders who are giving away cooking oil, blankets and cash.
Read the whole thing.
1 Comments:
By 
Georg Felis, at
Sat Jan 10, 01:03:00 PM:
Ah, but in a True Democracy, politicians give away heating oil for votes, right Mr. Kennedy? :)
