Eight Million Strong

Final voter turnout in the Iraqi election: 60%.

Iraq's first democratic election in more than 50 years started with insurgent attacks and ended with an estimated eight million people rejecting calls for a boycott and casting their ballots.

The vote began violently as 35 people died in various attacks, but when the polls closed, Iraq's Electoral Commission said about 60 per cent of those eligible had voted.

Voters lined up at the booths, and old people were carried to the polls. Voters proudly showed off their fingers, stained with ink to prevent multiple voting.

U.S. President George W. Bush praised the Iraqis for "a resounding success" and "a great and historic achievement."

Let's not forgot how some people felt before this historic day.

Posted by damian at January 30, 2005 09:31 PM