72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (36th Infantry Div)
Story by Sgt. Melissa Shaw
BAGHDAD – U.S. soldiers from the 571st Military Police Company and the
Joint Area Support Group-Central security directorate have been working
round the clock since May 2 on request from the Iraqi government to
augment the security surrounding the partial recount of the Baghdad
parliamentary election ballots.
Several weeks ago, an Iraqi review panel decided to unseal the roughly
11,300 ballot boxes and recount more than two million ballots after a
complaint from Maliki’s bloc alleged fraud in the initial tally of
ballots in Baghdad, which holds more than a fifth of the seats in
parliament.
Officials had expected the Baghdad recount to take as long as two weeks
to complete. However, thus far, they have been right on schedule. By
May 12, 74 percent or approximately 8,500 ballot boxes had been
processed.
The 571st and JASG-C fulfilled the request for support from the Iraqi
government by providing movement and security over-watch coordination
as the ballot boxes traveled from their storage facility outside the
International Zone to the Al Rasheed Hotel, which is located inside the
IZ.
“This is why we are here, I am glad for the opportunity to be taking
part in something this historic event. I think everyone in my team is
ready for this, ready to assist should we be needed,” said 1st Lt.
Angela Zecca, the 571st MP Company quick reaction force team leader.
Maj. David Burger, JASG-C security directorate, explained the recount
processes as he watched a line of counters leaving the second shift
grow: “Each day 700 counters come through the front gate, in two
different shifts.”
“They unseal the boxes by district, count the votes, put the results on
a tally sheet and reseal the boxes. The tally sheets are then taken
back to the IHEC and compared to the original results.”
“If there are discrepancies with the original results, a second recount
is done, if not the results are validated and reported up.”
In the Al Rasheed hotel, a flurry of activity can be seen throughout
the day under the watchful gaze of Mr. Qassim Al-Darraji, the
Independent High Electoral Commision general manager.
When asked how the Iraqi people feel about the transparency of the
recount and whether the results will be accepted a second time, Qassim
said: “As for me, I don’t speak for the Iraqi people.”
“I can say, however, the counters are under constant observation. There
are roughly 600 outside observers and 14 national media organizations
covering this event.”
This is truly a national event, evidence of which can be seen in the
counters themselves. While many are from the Baghdad province, just as
many are not from the urban district.
Samy Hayder Wali, a farmer from Mosul, said he became a part of the
group because it was his responsibility. He is here representing his
community.
“I am here because it is a good job, with good money and will be good for my family,” said Kirkuk resident, Saad Ali Gaseem
Patriotic pride played its part in pulling Iraqis to this stressful
temporary position. “We are here, we are doing this ourselves because
we love our country,” said Hayder Mustafa, a Baghdad resident.
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