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TechnographStudents reveal opinions on Iraqi election
By Christine Kim
Posted: 11/9/05 Section: News
After voting for a 275-member Iraqi National Assembly on January 30 and the approval of a draft constitution, one more step remains to make an Iraqi democracy complete: the election of a democratic government.
On Oct. 15, 6,000 polling centers were open to Iraqi citizens to vote on the single question, "Do you approve of the Draft Constitution of Iraq?" By making a single mark indicating either "YES" or "NO," citizens approved the draft Constitution of Iraq in the referendum election with 63 percent of eligible voters casting ballots and more than 78 percent of them voted in favor.
The interim constitution that was presented as a base for Iraq's future constitution was written by an American professor, not an Iraqi.
"As far as the constitution, it's something people should have on their own," said Gregory Meves, senior in LAS and president of the College Republicans. "We shouldn't interfere. We should be there just to give guidance. We shouldn't have to step in because we're given criticism too much as it is."
The ratification of the constitution draft paved the way for a general election to be held in December, which will elect the Council of Representatives. The rejection of the constitution draft would have dissolved the present National Assembly and led to an election in December for a new National Assembly and a draft of another constitution.
"I'm for the elections because I think the main reason we did that in the first place is to provide freedom for the Iraqi people," Meves said.
However, there are formations of electoral alliances organized that oppose the Dec. 15 election in Iraq and are advocating policies that will eventually lead to a clash between rival Iraqi factions.
"The elections are going to precipitate a lot of conflict between the Sunni and Shia as a result of a political election, and it could potentially lead to a civil war," said Justin Cajindos, junior in LAS and president of the College Democrats.
On Oct. 15, 6,000 polling centers were open to Iraqi citizens to vote on the single question, "Do you approve of the Draft Constitution of Iraq?" By making a single mark indicating either "YES" or "NO," citizens approved the draft Constitution of Iraq in the referendum election with 63 percent of eligible voters casting ballots and more than 78 percent of them voted in favor.
The interim constitution that was presented as a base for Iraq's future constitution was written by an American professor, not an Iraqi.
"As far as the constitution, it's something people should have on their own," said Gregory Meves, senior in LAS and president of the College Republicans. "We shouldn't interfere. We should be there just to give guidance. We shouldn't have to step in because we're given criticism too much as it is."
The ratification of the constitution draft paved the way for a general election to be held in December, which will elect the Council of Representatives. The rejection of the constitution draft would have dissolved the present National Assembly and led to an election in December for a new National Assembly and a draft of another constitution.
"I'm for the elections because I think the main reason we did that in the first place is to provide freedom for the Iraqi people," Meves said.
However, there are formations of electoral alliances organized that oppose the Dec. 15 election in Iraq and are advocating policies that will eventually lead to a clash between rival Iraqi factions.
"The elections are going to precipitate a lot of conflict between the Sunni and Shia as a result of a political election, and it could potentially lead to a civil war," said Justin Cajindos, junior in LAS and president of the College Democrats.
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