Iraq Elections: Yea or Nay?

Big Pharaoh, in Egypt, makes a case for postponing Iraqi elections.

[T]he average Iraqi is not in a dire need for elections right now! All what he wants is security, electricity, clean water, and a job. Iraqi politicians are talking about elections, elections. The average Iraqi is talking about jobs, electricity, and SECURITY.

Second, if elections were held next January, the same political parties we're seeing today will win (among them very strong Islamic parties with ties to Iran). The Iraqi voter doesn't have a clear choice. A poll last spring found that over 40% of Iraqis won't vote for any of the existing political parties. There is huge political vacuum in Iraq and time is needed for various political parties to emerge. The delaying of elections will give time for fighting the Wahabi/Salafi animals and in parallel political parties will emerge.

And he makes a good argument that holding elections will no more take the iwnd out of the sails of the uprising than the transfer of sovereignty did.

All sane minds who care about the average Iraqi think that elections should be postponed. Elections without security is nonsense. If you asked the average Iraqi today what he is waiting for, his answer won't be "hey I'm waiting for elections" but "hey I'm waiting for this light bulb to light again"!

But Omar at Iraq the Model takes a look at Fallujah and discovers that participation in elections may be the carrot to go with a military push (as in Samarra) to root out the Islamists.

Four tribes’ chiefs promised to declare a threat to the militants in Fallujah that they should turn themselves to the authorities peacefully or the tribes will fight them. At the same time many citizens in Fallujah stated that they are willing to participate in the upcoming elections. Meanwhile Ayad Allawi gave a statement about a military action in Fallujah to be taken soon.

Rafidain net reported governmental sources saying that four tribes in Baghdad, Ramadi, Tikrit have promised to destroy the terrorism foci in the city of Fallujah after knowing that the American troops are preparing a major assault in the next couple of weeks.

Same sources confirmed that a meeting was held between the chiefs of Al Hamamda tribe in Ramadi, Al Juboor in Tikrit, Al Gareer in Yousufyia and a branch from Al Janabyeen in Latifyiah to discuss situations in Fallujah, the flow of terrorists from outside Iraq into the city and the role of clerics in provoking violence and justifying murder and kidnap in the name of Islam. The chiefs showed determination to end this situation either peacfuly or by force.

Same sources pointed out that thousands of armed men from these tribes are ready to sweep the city of Fallujah, and that they have received letters from many respectable figures in Fallujah including some clerics that plead to the Iraqi tribes to save the citizens of Fallujah from the deteriorating condition under the rule of armed gangs and terrorists.

On the other hand a declaration signed by major political parties and social groups in Fallujah was distributed in the city confirming that the people of Fallujah support strongly holding the elections at the decided time on the condition that it should be honest. The declaration affirmed their support to the IP and ING in their attempts to restore order to the city, yet they said that they will stand against any American attack on their city.

[emphasis added]