Iraq votes: a historic vote takes place amid fear and hope.

On Sunday, January 30, Iraqis took part in the country's first free elections in more than 50 years. For many, the historic vote was cause for celebration. "This is going to be a sacred day for us as Iraqis," said one man in the town of Kirkuk.

Nationwide, Iraqis elected members of a 275-seat Transitional National Assembly (lawmaking body). Locally, voters chose members for 1 of 18 provincial (regional) councils.

Insurgents (rebels) had vowed to "wash the streets of Baghdad in blood," as one leaflet read, to prevent the voting. At least 50 people, including 9 suicide bombers, were killed on election day. But millions of people defied threats and cast their ballots. About 60 percent of Iraq's estimated 14 million voters participated in the elections.

Challenges Ahead

Iraq's transitional national government will face many challenges. First, its members must agree on a President and two Vice Presidents, who will choose a Prime Minister. Then the assembly will draft a permanent constitution, to be approved by the voters. Elections for a permanent assembly are currently scheduled for December.

Another challenge will be including Sunni Muslims, many of whom boycotted the elections, in the new government. For years, Sunnis controlled the country even though they make up a minority of the population. Some leaders of the Shiite Muslim majority, now in power, have pledged to reach out to Sunnis. Many observers have warned that conflict could erupt between the two groups.

A Wonderful Feeling

The election was also open to an estimated 1 million Iraqis living in 14 other countries. Voting took place in five U.S. cities.

Sara Alkateb, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1982 and now runs his own software-development company, planned to vote in New Carrollton, Maryland, near Washington, D.C.

Alkateb told JS that the election had great importance for him and many fellow American Iraqis. "First, it's a wonderful, wonderful feeling for an Iraqi," said Alkateb. "As an American, we take the right to vote for granted, right? But as an Iraqi, we thought tyranny would just continue in Iraq forever. So it's wonderful to have this."

Will the vote bring true democracy to Iraq? Alkateb conceded that there are many difficulties to come. But, he said, "I think this is really a solid step."

* OBJECTIVES

Students should understand

* On January 30, Iraq held its first free elections in more than 50 years;

* the vote is the beginning of a process that will determine the nation's permanent constitution and government.

* TEACHING STRATEGY

Ask students: "What was the purpose of last month's elections in Iraq?"

* BACKGROUND

On January 30, Iraqis voted in more than 5,500 polling centers located throughout the country. Voters did not cast ballots for specific candidates but for 1 of 111 political groups, or lists of candidates. Each group will send to the new assembly a number of candidates, starting from the top of its list, that corresponds to the percentage of the vote the group received. One of every three candidates has to be a woman. As of press time, the United Iraqi Alliance, a coalition of Shiite parties brought together by Grand Ayatollah All al-Sistani, was expected to do best. The alliance of Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, called the Iraqi List, was also expected to do well.

* CRITICAL THINKING

COMPREHENSION: What are some challenges that lie ahead for the newly elected Transitional National Assembly? (The members of the transitional government will have to agree on the country's leaders, draft a permanent constitution, and schedule more elections that will result in a permanent assembly. There is also the challenge of uniting Sunni and Shiite Muslims in order to avert a possible civil conflict.)

* ACTIVITY

IRAQ'S FUTURE CONSTITUTION: Instruct students to research national constitutions and write clauses that they think will be crucial for Iraq's constitution.

STANDARDS

SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADES 5-8

* Power, authority, and governance: How Iraq's new Transitional National Assembly will attempt to form a democratic government.

* Civic ideals and practices: How millions of Iraqis, at home and around the world, recently voted in elections despite the threat of violence.

RESOURCES

PRINT

* Richie, Jason, Iraq and the Fall of Saddam Hussein (Oliver Press, 2003). Grades 5-8.

* Fast, April, Iraq the People (Crabtree Pub., 2004). Grades 5-6.

WEB SITES

* Iraqi Interim Government iraqigovernment.org

* Iraq Elections (U.S. State Dept.) usinfo.state.gov/mena/middle_east_north_africa/iraq /Iraq_Elections_A_Vote_for_Democracy.html

NEWS: IRAQ VOTES, PAGE 4

* Write the letter of the answer on the line provided.

--1. What is the name of Iraq's new lawmaking body?

A. Iraq National Congress

B. Transitional National Assembly

C. Assembly for a New Iraq

--2. Which of the following challenges will Iraq's new government face?

A. drafting a new constitution

B. establishing trade agreements with other Arab nations

C. overseeing troop pullout from Gaza

--3. The Iraqi elections were also open to which of the following groups?

A. nomadic Hindus living in Baghdad

B. Iraqis living in 14 other countries

C. A and B are correct.

--4. Which group is a minority that controlled the country until recently?

A. Sunnis

B. Shiites

C. Kurds

--5. What did insurgents vow to do regarding the vote?

A. ensure Ayad Allawi's defeat

B. throw the election to their supporters

C. wash the streets of Baghdad in blood

1.B

2.A

3. B

4. A

5. C