BAGHDAD, 29 January 2005 — The pressure of risking their lives to vote for their future is too much for many Iraqis who have been bombarded with threats ahead of tomorrow’s historic election.

The US military and Iraqi authorities admit that the fear and intimidation instilled by radical insurgents is as much a concern as their car bombs, rockets and bullets.

Voters have been threatened with death, to have their children kidnapped and their houses burned down, according to residents and military officials. And they know the threats will remain long past tomorrow’s vote.

Carlos Valenzuela, the UN representative on the Iraqi Election Commission, has described voting on election day as a courageous act by Iraqis. “This process is not risk free. People have to take collective chances,” he said.

Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, the Al-Qaeda associate with a $25 million US reward on his head, has claimed many of the attacks carried out in recent months and vowed that anyone who votes will be a target of his fighters. Other groups have joined Zarqawi’s war cry.

“Do not cooperate with evil and the enemy,” warned one poster stuck on the wall of the Al-Tawiyah school in the El-Amin neighborhood of Baghdad this week. The school was attacked three days in a row this week.

“The hand of the Mujahedeen, will reach all of the polling stations and the workers in it and all people who take part in it. Anyone who does not listen must fear the result and he should blame himself.”

Another leaflet thrown around the streets of Baghdad this week warned people to stay 500 meters from any polling station or be the target of snipers, rockets and bombs.

Despite the pleas of government leaders, US President George W. Bush and other influential figures, many Iraqis say they are just too scared to vote around central Iraq’s five main provinces - Al-Anbar, Salahuddin, Diyala, Nineveh, Tamin - and parts of Baghdad.

That is why many US and Iraqi officials say even a 50 percent turnout in the central region would be a success and the United Nations is prepared to give its backing to a result that could be overshadowed by violence.

Despite the violence spiraling out of control in central Iraq, a huge turnout is anticipated in the Kurdish north and Shiite south, where the two communities persecuted under Saddam are keen to express their voice.

“If the American president was here with his family, I wonder what he would do on Sunday,” said Tawfik Salim, a Baghdad store owner, who was uncertain whether he would vote.

Saad Hariz, an activist in Tikrit for one party taking part in the election, said he and many others in Saddam Hussein’s hometown had received threats.

“They said they will kill us, kidnap our children, burn down our homes. I have had to take measures to protect my family.”

The fear factor is also a concern for the US military. Top generals admit that suicide bombers are a major threat to tomorrow’s vote.

According to the US military, seven members of the provincial council in Diyala, north of Baghdad, have been assassinated in less than 10 months and the governor has been the target of eight assassination attempts.