Iraqi exiles eye historic vote

A final push to persuade the UK's Iraqi exiles to vote in their home country's historic post-Saddam elections is under way.

With about 150,000 members of Britain's community eligible to take part, it is potentially the biggest overseas vote - bar that of the US and Syria.

Overseas election preparations

• UN spending £50m to reach four million expats worldwide
• The vote is the first most Iraqis have seen in their lifetime
• Registration in UK between 17 and 23 January
• Two forms of approved ID needed to register
• Voting in UK between 28 and 30 January
• Three UK centres staffed by about 600 Iraqis

"Slowly but surely the message is reaching a wide network of Iraqis across the UK," says the International Organisation for Migration, which is organising the vote and predicts a high turn-out.

Yet concerns remain, in particular about whether everyone knows how to take part and if people will be prepared to travel twice - once to register and once to vote - to centres in London, Manchester and Glasgow.

For the past few weeks adverts in Arabic language newspapers and on TV have reminded the expats that theirs could be a very strong voice - should they decide to use it.

But with the process due to start on Monday the question remains, do they want to?

Sudad Hamoodi, 43, Manchester "We're not taking part and we don't think it's going to make any difference for the future," says Mr Hamoodi on the intentions of his 20-strong family living in the UK. "We think the government will be working for the US and Britain anyway." "The majority of people are convinced that the election will make a change to Iraq and they are entitled to their opinion. "They have not been to Iraq - we have been going back and forward and we can see it's getting worse, not better." Ten of the Hamoodis' relatives died when allied forces destroyed their home.

Jabbar Hassan, Iraqi Community Association "It's brilliant that people can vote in Britain and participate in the future of Iraq. "It's the first election since 1954 and people are very excited, but the problem does exist that some people are not aware of what the election is. We have had to educate them. "We Iraqis abroad have been the victims of the ex-regime and were actively involved in opposing Saddam, so we're not new to this idea of being directly involved. "We're not living in the daily moments of what's going on, but new technology has served us and we're in contact with everyone."

Kumaran Ahmad, 31, St Leonards, East Sussex "I did not know whether we are allowed to vote or not," says Kumaran, a hotel worker. "I would be prepared to go to London to do this, but it's the first I have heard of this," he says. "All my friends don't know about it either. We don't have communications here - we feel cut off. "We don't believe in this election and the idea that it will be free and fair. "I don't think it would be that expensive to go to London - but to miss work would not be worth it. "I think the election is just the US choosing who they want."

Dr Hamid Al-bayati, London representative of Sciri "I think there's an enthusiasm about the election," says Mr Abayati of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq - one of the two main Shia parties. "The Iraqi people have been deprived of this for a long time," he says. "People are talking about it in London, Leeds, Manchester - even those who were born in the UK. "There will always be difficulties," he says of the need for people to travel to one of three centres. "But I think the majority of people will get out and vote and they are very enthusiastic about this."

Hanna Field, director, Iraqi Welfare Association "It's impossible to have the vote in every town and people have to travel twice - once for registration and once for voting," says Ms Field. "I think people are attempting to come, but if we could make it easier the response would be even greater. "Lots of them are on income support and travelling costs them a lot. "But I still can't see people missing out. "If you want your voice to be heard this is your chance and the only chance you will have for years."

Tahrir Abdul Samad Numan, Act Together "In principle, I am for holding elections in Iraq. "But elections are supposed to empower the will of the majority of Iraqis. Are there any real choices for the Iraqis at present? "Since the US invasion women do not leave their home unless they have to. Will they risk their lives in a queue outside a polling station? "Only 10% of Fallujah refugees having returned to their devastated city and many Iraqis are without the opportunity to register let alone vote. "I think it is inappropriate for Iraqi exiles to take part."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
International Organisation for Migration
Iraq out-of-country voting programme
Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq
Act Together
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