Whatever happens today in Iraq, there can be no doubt that it is a very historic moment in the country’s long history. Iraqis must make two choices. The first is whether they should vote at all and the second, if they do decide to vote, is who they should vote for from the list of some 200 different political parties.

There are many circumstances which, it can reasonably be argued, make this election less than ideal. Many candidates who fear for their safety have not campaigned publicly and some have even refused to put their names on the ballot; votes will be cast for them by using numbers. This is, however, less of a problem than it may at first seem; the election is being conducted under a proportional representation system which means that the 275 seats of the Transitional Assembly will be allotted according to each party’s performance.

There has also been the real challenge of protecting polling stations from terrorist attacks by keeping the locations secret until the last minute. Nevertheless with the ban on traffic movement, we can only hope that people will be able to walk safely to their local polling station whose location will be made known by word of mouth. The international monitors will doubtless find much upon which to comment. Nevertheless, in the end the most important thing to keep in mind is that despite the enormous security challenges, the election is taking place at all. In a way, the widespread expectation that many in the Sunni community, either out of protest or fear, will not go to cast their votes means whatever surprises there are, they can only be pleasant ones. Any reasonable vote from Sunnis will be seen as significant. If, on the other hand, they choose to stay at home, no one will be surprised.

What is important is that the legislators who are elected today have in mind the crucial charge they have been given is on behalf of all Iraqis, not just their own particular communities. The writing of a new constitution is sure to be an onerous job but is slated to be completed by August; that will provide the basis for further elections in December. Before any writing of a constitution can begin, it will first be necessary to form a government. The process of electing a three-man state presidency council who will choose a prime minister who will in turn select ministers who will then need to be approved by the assembly is tortuous. Its saving grace, however, is the fact that all along the line, politicians are going to have to work together, debate positions and finally arrive at compromises. There can be no imposed solutions that will have any lasting value to all Iraqis. The violence of course will not end when the final votes have been counted in about a week’s time.

Nevertheless the very fact that the election is being held, despite all predictions is a defeat for the terrorists and a much needed victory for moderation. The inevitable Shiite majority of legislators must next use their success wisely to plan the future for all Iraqis, regardless of their community. In so doing, they will inflict an even more significant defeat on the men of violence.

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