January 13, 2005

Voters intent on electing an Iraqi National Assembly are expected to turn out later this month in places such as Baghdad, Tikrit, Mosul and . . . Skokie.

As in north suburban Skokie. Northwest suburban Rosemont, too.

Both towns have been picked to house registration and polling sites for the Iraqi elections -- and fast-paced preparations are under way.

It's part of the worldwide effort to give expatriate Iraqis a voice in the elections, and as many as 31,200 local residents with Iraqi ties are eligible to vote, said Oliver Vick, the head of the Chicago area effort.

"I get the impression that the [local] Iraqi population is very enthused and very keen to participate in this election," Vick said. "People are definitely clamoring for information."

The two sites are the Rosemont Convention Center at 5555 N. River Rd. and the Assyrian National Council of Illinois' community center at 9131 Niles Center Rd. in Skokie. Election officials emphasize that both locations will be independent and nonpartisan.

Registration begins Jan. 17

Despite ongoing violence against election workers in Iraq and some calls for a postponement, the election is still scheduled for Jan. 30. But local voters must first register between Jan. 17 and Jan. 23 at one of the two suburban sites. To vote, they must then return to the same site with their registration coupon between Jan. 28 and Jan. 30.

The vote is to elect a 275-member National Assembly, which is to draft a constitution and set up a government. The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq, after initially balking, decided to allow Iraqis abroad to participate. There are about 2 million to 4 million Iraqis living outside Iraq.

In the Chicago area, the main concentration of expatriates is in the Skokie, Morton Grove and Lincolnwood area. There are also pockets in Chicago, Northbrook, Glenview, Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines, Schaumburg and Streamwood, Vick said. Voters are also expected to come from other states.

Election officials and community leaders have been reaching out to potential voters. Sheba Mando, president of the Assyrian National Council of Illinois, said he is busy getting the word out to vote -- no matter the candidate.

Balloting in 14 countries

"For Chaldo-Assyrians, it's the first time we have a chance to select our representatives. It's the first time in history since Iraq was established as a country," said Mando, a printer and publisher from Niles.

Iraqi election officials tapped the International Organization for Migration to conduct the $92 million out-of-country voting program. Expatriates can vote in 14 countries. In the United States, polling places will also be in Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville and Washington, D.C.

Voters must be at least 18 and have been born in Iraq or have an Iraqi-born father. Two forms of identification are required to register, including one proving the place of birth of the voter or the voter's father. Voters eligible because of their fathers must also document their link to the father.

Registration hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (800) 916-8292, or go to www.iraqocv.org.

* http://www.suntimes.com/output/iraq/cst-nws-elect13.html