IRAQ: Iraqis are less confident they will vote in elections scheduled for January than they were three months ago, an opinion poll released yesterday showed.
A survey by the Iraq Centre For Research and Strategic Studies indicated that 66.8 per cent of 3,500 respondents polled across the country were "very likely" to vote in the elections for a national assembly, compared to 88.8 per cent in June.
Nevertheless, nearly 92 per cent still indicated a willingness to vote for the assembly that will choose a new transitional government and write a permanent constitution.
A raging insurgency that rattles Iraq every day, with bombings that have killed hundreds of civilians and security personnel, has raised doubts over the feasibility of holding elections.
The survey, conducted in September, showed overall enthusiasm for the elections was tainted by security fears and other concerns about the political process.
Fifty nine per cent of Iraqis polled said they feared that intimidation by armed groups could restrict access to polling stations. Nearly 70 per cent complained of a lack of suitable political parties that could win their vote.