DATE=3/28/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAQ ELECTIONS (L)
NUMBER=2-260691
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:


INTRO:  Iraqi election officials say all 165 
candidates of the ruling Baath party have been elected 
to the new parliament in balloting that was cast as a 
show of support for President Saddam Hussein.  V-O-A 
Middle East Correspondent Scott Bobb reports 55 
independent candidates also have been elected.

TEXT:  Iraqi Justice Minister Shabib al-Maliki Tuesday 
announced the results of the parliamentary elections, 
the second since the Gulf War nine years ago.

The official said 18 of 25 women candidates were also 
elected.

More than 500 candidates, most of them independents, 
ran for 220 seats in the assembly.  President Saddam 
Hussein is to appoint delegates to 30 seats in three 
northern provinces that are controlled by Kurdish 
rebels.

The Iraqi news media say the president's son Uday, who 
was running for the first time, was elected to a seat 
in Baghdad by 99 percent of the vote.  Uday Hussein is 
frequently mentioned as a possible successor to his 
father.

Turnout was nearly 90 percent for the elections, which 
were cast as a show of support for the Iraqi 
president. Many voters indicated economic hardship was 
the major issue and expressed hope for an end to 
international sanctions that have crippled the 
economy.

However, campaigning was minimal and political debate 
was subdued.  Rallies were banned and candidates had 
only limited access to the news media.

Iraq's national assembly has little power.  Its 
primary duty is to debate policy and make 
recommendations to the Revolutionary Command Council 
that has governed Iraq since the revolution 32 years 
ago. (Signed)

NEB/SB/JWH/JP




28-Mar-2000 12:21 PM EDT (28-Mar-2000 1721 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.