Voters' views: Iraqis on the election

It is hoped the new government will be more representative

Iraqis are once again voting at the polls, this time to elect a new, four year parliament.

The BBC News website spoke to six Iraqis about who they intend to vote for, their concerns over security and what they hope the future government will mean for Iraq and its people.

Some of the voters have used pseudonyms for security reasons.

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SAMIR ALI, DOCTOR, BAGHDAD

I will take part in these elections, although I did not take part in the previous ones.

I am Sunni, and from the start we did not believe the Americans should be here after they invaded us.

In the first elections [January 2005] we felt that the US and other governments intentionally pushed us so we could not take part.

But, afterwards, I thought that it was a mistake. I think many Sunnis agree with me.

Now, our local leadership has invited us to take part and I feel it is time to get involved.

On Thursday I will vote for list 618 - the Iraqi Islamic party.

I want them to take part in decision-making, as they are religious and will lead us to the right point.

We want a government that is powerful to control the country and the border and to really negotiate with the Americans to leave.

But the most important issue for the future is a government that is right for all Iraqis.

MAJID TAHIB AL-SALIM, INTERPRETER, BASRA

I will vote for [former interim Prime Minister Iyad] Allawi, the perfect man to vote for.

He is a man of religion but it is nothing to do with his politics. Some here use religion to justify their bad deeds and he wants to pursue peace.

The real test will be whether the elected government will be able to meet the expectations of those electing it Bob Ezergailis, Hamilton, Canada Iraq poll: Your comments

He just sees Iraqis as Iraqis, not Sunni or Shia.

He is also a supporter of the coalition forces and likes his relationship with the West. In the future this will be useful for us.

Basra is a safe city. We have some powerful groups here and there have been incidents, but not on a daily basis.

People are very excited about the elections. There are posters everywhere on the streets and on television dozens of adverts are calling people to vote.

I hope after the election the government will find a solution to our problems. Many people are unemployed and we need to deal with the militias.

In the future, I hope to study at graduate level and train to be an English teacher. I hope that things will settle down and that there will be more jobs.

I am optimistic that the future will be bright in Iraq.

MATEEN DOOSKI, BUSINESSMAN, DOHUK, N IRAQ

For us Kurds, this is a very critical election - I will definitely vote for the Kurdish coalition list.

It is the first time in modern Iraq that a democratic government will serve a full term and a turning point for the whole country.

Many issues have not been settled for us Kurds and it is important for every Kurd to realise we should vote. It would be almost treason not to.

Everywhere you go here, in the streets and in the cafes, it is a hot issue.

I'm hoping they will be more geared towards handling situations, improving the standard of services and ending corruption.

Corruption is more dangerous for Iraqis than terror. Even getting a loan is impossible because of our poor infrastructure.

I want the coalition forces to leave but we do not want a weak government left behind.

Still, there has been a lot of progress by our security forces. They are much better compared to six months ago.

In one year's time, perhaps, we can control our own security.

LAYLA AL-KHAFAJI, ELECTION WORKER, BAGHDAD

I am voting for list 55 or the United Iraqi Alliance - the main Shia political group.

Why? Because I trust them.

They will fight for our rights. They suffered for three decades under Saddam and now are fighting for Iraq and our rights.

We in Iraq have suffered greatly and many people here want democracy. They want people who can truly represent them in the new government.

People are very excited, although there is concern about fraudulent results.

We think the Americans may favour Allawi so we are concerned. We think he will take steps to bring Baathists back into government.

But some of these men are dirty with the blood of the Iraqi people. We don't want them back.

The Sunnis are also participating in the elections now so they have no excuse.

They are coming into political maturity and if all goes well and they are represented, they have no reason to fight against us.

'MOHAMMED ALI', ARCHITECT, EX-BASRA, NOW DUBAI

I am voting for Iyad Allawi. Frankly, I do not think there is an ideal candidate, yet, due to the volatile situation in Iraq.

Iraqi election officials hopes turnout will be higher than in January

However, I think Allawi can bring the Sunni community to his side and keep both moderate Shia and Sunni together.

Allawi has also pleased Iraq's neighbours and the US and UK leaders.

His list also has more a liberal and secular attitude, which I would like to see in Iraq's future.

My family and friends are determined to vote. There is a sense that religious lists will get most of the vote and so secular people are trying to keep the balance.

I do not want the US or UK troops to leave now, but once we have a strong and trusted security forces I can say: "Thanks, you can go home now."

My sister says the family sleep well in Basra when they hear a British tank nearby.

Eventually, I hope the economy will improve and people will have better life. Then politics will become a secondary issue.

'BAN', ENGINEER, BAGHDAD

I'm going to vote on Thursday, but to be honest I am not sure for whom.

I think I will probably vote for the Iraqi National Peace List under Dr Laith Kubba.

He is a very good gentleman, well educated and with a good programme for the future.

The most important thing for Iraq is security. Other concerns are the economic programme.

We need to encourage jobs and develop infrastructural projects for the future.

I think people here are excited and want to participate, they are less scared than before.

Still, the violence will take a long time to stop, as the people who call themselves "resistors" will not give up easily.

At some point, I think the new government will have to talk to them.