Even the Sunnis turned out
Iraq's new charter appeared to receive enough 'yes' votes to pass, despite large Sunni opposition.
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Some Kurds voted strategically, turning in a blanket "yes" vote to enshrine their rights in a constitution that to many is the first step toward an independent state. At one polling station in Suleimaniyeh, where votes were counted by lamplight, a total of 1,289 ballots yielded just 13 "no" votes - an approval rate of 99 percent.
But other Kurds didn't vote at all to send a message - either that the constitution didn't go far enough toward independence, or that they were angry with local authorities for the lack of basic services.
Turnout was lower in other Kurdish and Shiite areas, reflecting some disaffection that Iraq's first free election in January did not immediately yield improved economic conditions or security. Turnout in transitional states is also almost always lower in the second vote than the first.
"In the Western world, people have more pressure points on the government - they can go on strike, or organize civil disobedience, or refrain from paying taxes," says Qaisar Hama-Said Rostam, a lawyer in charge of polling at a Suleimaniyeh school. "Here the only pressure point people have is to not vote on such a day, and they are already practicing that right."
But for those who turned out to vote at stations festooned with election banners and bunting in the Kurdistan national colors, large issues were at stake.
Nasiq Hassan, a student and election volunteer, voted "to protect my country from the genocide and repression of the past. This can take us to a stage where our generation and coming generations can live in peace and stability." She wants independence from Baghdad, regardless of the consequences, "so the world would know Kurdistan is different."
And for some, the vote was about power politics. Waiting in line to cast her ballot, Zeinab Amin Hama carried a framed portrait of Iraq's President Jalal Talabani meeting President George Bush - a rare sight in Iraq that could be possible only in largely pro-US Kurdish regions. "I love both of them, and I want them both to be successful ... in realizing people's dreams," says Ms. Hama, who lost a son fighting Hussein's forces during a 1991 uprising. "What's important for me is that Kurds will be successful, no matter if they have independence or not."
To be sure, efforts were made to accommodate Sunnis before Saturday's vote. Last week, the Iraqi Islamic Party, a Sunni group, swung its support behind the charter after Shiites and Kurds made changes to the draft that make it slightly easier to amend, which changed some Sunni minds in Baghdad's Sadiyah neighborhood.
"We wish there would be changes in the constitution in the future on federalism and concerning the rights of sharing national revenues," says Abu Hussam, who used a nickname. "I think we should pass this thing to take the next step and then we can change it then."
• Scott Peterson in Suleimaniyeh, Jill Carroll in Baghdad, Neil MacDonald in Basra, and Usama Redha in Baghdad contributed reporting for this article.
