Overview

Photo taken from http://www.fco-gov-uk

 

On January 30, in Iraq were held nationwide elections for 275-member Transitional National Assembly. The Assembly's main task will be the drafting of a permanent consitution and setting the stage for full-round elections in December.

On election day, Shiite and Kurds turned out in large numbers. But in Sunni-dominated regions, where many Sunni insurgency leaders called for a boycott of the elections, the reported turnout was significantly lower.

Violence was again on the Iraqi streets on election day, in an unsuccessful attempt of insurgents to keep Iraqis away from the polls.

Nearly 50 people were killed, and 100 wounded in insurgent attacks near polling stations on the day of th elections.

 

The Results

Total Votes: 8,456,266

Ivalid votes: 94,305 total

The Winners

According to results certified by the Iraqi Electoral Commission on Feb. 17, 2005, 12 of the 111 parties and candidate lists that took part in Iraq's election got enough votes to gain seats in the new Assembly. The parties that won are as follows:

United Iraqi Alliance: 4,075,295 votes; 140 seats

Kurdistan Alliance: 2,175,551 votes; 75 seats

Iraqi List: 1,168,943 votes; 40 seats

Iraqis: 150,680 votes; 5 seats

Turkomen Iraqi Front: 93,480 votes; 3 seats

National Independent Elites: 69,938 votes; 3 seats

Communist Party: 69,920 votes; 2 seats

Islamic Kurdish Society: 60,592 votes; 2 seats

Islamic Labor Movement in Iraq: 43,205 votes; 2 seats

National Democratic Alliance: 36,795 votes; 1 seat

National Rafidain List: 36,255 votes; 1 seat

Reconciliation and Liberation: 30,796 votes; 1 seats

Minimum number of votes needed for seat: 29,133

 

Source: Iraqi Electoral Commission