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Iraq Announces Election Security Measures

The Iraqi government announced over the weekend that it plans to close all borders, extend a curfew and effectively ban travel across provincial boundaries during this week`s elections. The added security measures are meant to protect voters turning out to the polls this coming Thursday. According to officials with the Interior Ministry, the measures will take effect beginning Tuesday and will not end until at least Saturday morning.

While U.S. officials have said that the elections and the new makeup of government are steps towards the completion of the democratic process, they`ve said that there can be no pullout of U.S. troops until both the Iraqi army and police forces are capable of solely handling attacks from insurgent groups around the country.

The election being held Thursday will allow voters to choose a 275-member parliament that will serve a four-year term. The election comes after Iraq`s constitution was ratified in a referendum October 15. U.S. officials are hopeful for a strong turnout among Sunni Arabs and that the diverse makeup of governmental officials will bring calm to the war torn country.