Translate page with Google

Story Publication logo March 7, 2010

Iraq: Inside the Citadel

Country:

Author:
Iraq: Reporting the 2010 Parliamentary Elections
English

The Iraqi elections of 2010 played out against a backdrop of reduced but continuing violence...

SECTIONS

Dimiter Kenarov, for the Pulitzer Center
Baghdad, Iraq


Friday. A day for prayer. Two days before the national elections. Still warm and sunny.

A lieutenant from the US Army offers to escort me inside the compound of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC). It is, supposedly, the most heavily-guarded building in Iraq right now, the high fortress of democracy, the central control room of the Iraqi parliamentary elections. I haven't registered with the IHEC, so I doubt they will let me in but decide to try my luck anyway.

A man at the reception searches fruitlessly for my name in the list of accredited journalists. "Sorry," he says. "You can't go in"...

Support our work

Your support ensures great journalism and education on underreported and systemic global issues