Baghdad bishop dubs today's vote "an exercise in democracy"
Mgr Sleiman describes the population's hopes: "Even if they do not really know what they are voting about, the Iraqis are catching a glimpse of a more stable country." The Constitution is too "ethnic and confessional".
Baghdad (AsiaNews) In Baghdad, everyone is flocking on foot to cast their ballot. Amid daily violence and fear, Iraq's referendum on the Constitution is registering a solid turnout; orderly queues of citizens outside polling stations can be seen in the capital, as well in Bassora, Fallujah and Kirkuk.
Baghdad's Latin bishop, Mgr Jean Baptiste Sleiman, told AsiaNews about the significance of the vote which represents an "important educational exercise in democracy" even if people were "not fully conscious".
According to Mgr Sleiman, most Iraqis do not know what they are voting about: "Many did not get the text but even if they did receive it, I don't know if they read it. Beyond this, however, the vote is an important educational act in democracy, it must be taken as such: as a step towards a path which will be very long". On the other hand, added the bishop, "how many Europeans read the Constitution before going to vote about it?"
Anyhow, in today's ballot, Iraqis are catching a glimpse of December's political election, and the possibility of a more stable country. "We are all tired of constant insecurity, and even of conditions of the infrastructure: we lack water and electricity for several hours a day, and in summer, the sewers present a severe problem of hygiene; one is afraid to go to work."
The bishop is convinced people realise that "not going to vote is very dangerous". "Positive results in today's referendum will give hope of continuation of the political process and that the authorities will keep their promises of more commitment to national unity and dialogue among all parties." Mgr Sleiman said this could lead to real improvement in the situation in Iraq, where daily life "continues to be shaped by suffering".
Confident, but also concerned, the bishop voiced the fears of the Catholic community: "We hope for greater stability after ratification, even if this Constitution has already been undermined in itself, it contains profound contradictions." The Constitution is too "ethnic and confessional" and politicians continue to insist on federalism and on how to treat the Baath party when there are much more urgent matters at stake, according to the bishop. "Having Islam as the main source of right compromises many freedoms: if enacting laws which contradict the Sharia will be forbidden, democracy itself will be hard put to advance. The fundamental freedoms of conscience and opinion are threatened."
To ratify the Constitution, a majority of voters ticking "yes" is sufficient, that is, if two-thirds of the voters do not say "no" in three out of 18 provinces. It is not clear when results of the ballot will be out: the Electoral Commission says credible indications may be available already on Sunday evening; however other sources say nothing will be out before Tuesday.
Meanwhile, three Iraqi soldiers died and another three were wounded in a bomb blast; the explosive was placed on the wayside of the road to al-Sahedia, 140km northwest of Baghdad, a short distance away from the border with Iran. The military were taken up with inspections in polling stations. There were problems in Mosul too, where armed guerrillas prevented voters from reaching polling booths in three neighbourhoods. The men waved automatic rifles and threatened to attack the booths. They distributed flyers to passers-by, inviting them to boycott "the Constitution of the infidels".
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