Of course, this is not the first time that Iraqis are exercising their democratic right since Saddam Hussein was brought down. However, the first election that was held in January had largely been a stage-managed affair with the Sunni population staying away from the vote. Ditto the referendum on the contentious constitution held in October. Not surprisingly, the boycott of earlier votes by the Sunni community helped the Shia parties and militias to gain excessive control of the interim government, security forces and other key institutions of the country.

The Sunnis, already marginalised, have paid a price for staying off the earlier polls and shutting themselves out of the decision making process. Recent incidents of persecution of the Sunnis by some government agencies and security forces, infiltrated by Shia militias, has demonstrated to the Sunnis the importance of involving themselves in the political process. No wonder the Sunnis have reportedly turned up in large numbers to vote in this election apparently determined to play their role in mapping out new Iraq.

This is certainly a positive development considering the critical importance of this vote. While the January vote and constitution referendum were of interim nature, this election is going to elect the country’s first truly independent parliament and government for the next four years. The government and parliament that today’s poll will throw up will play a key role in determining the shape and direction of new Iraq. Of course, putting up a new dispensation in Baghdad is not going to be easy what with so many parties and groups in the poll fray —  7,655 candidates from 307 political parties vying for 275 seats. However, a government that is more democratic in nature than the present one and represents all sections of Iraqi society —  Shia, Sunni, Kurds and others —  whenever it takes shape can hopefully have the mandate and ability to restore peace and order in the country. The withdrawal of the US-led coalition is also crucially linked to the stability and success of the incoming government. The US will remain mired in Iraq as long as a new and representative Iraqi leadership is not ready to take over. That is why this election is so crucial to the country’s future. This is truly the vote for a new Iraq.