Today, Iraqis go to the polls to take a decisive step toward building the free, democratic society that the vast majority of Iraqis desire.

In polling stations across Iraq, as well as in 14 other countries, Iraqi citizens are able to cast their ballots, not in make-believe elections like those under Saddam Hussein, but in real elections in which citizens have a choice of candidates and, by voting, make their individual contributions to Iraq's democratisation.

The election is an important milestone in Iraq's recent history. It will mark the transition from an appointed government to an elected one. It represents fulfilment of UN Security Council resolution 1546. And let us not forget that this voting is taking place less than two years after Saddam Hussein was deposed, ending 30 years of repression and murder. That is no small feat.

Iraqis are running these elections from start to finish. The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq has certified approximately 111 parties, coalitions and individuals who are competing for 275 seats on the Transitional National Assembly.

This Assembly will have two critical tasks. First, it will choose a President and two vice presidents, who will then select a Prime Minister. Second, it will draft a new Constitution, which will be put to a public referendum in October 2005. By December 2005, Iraqis will return to the polls to elect a new national government under their new Constitution, which will replace the transitional government to be elected today

In today’s vote, Iraqis will also choose not only national-level representatives, but also representatives for provincial councils and, in the Kurdish areas in the north, the Kurdistan National Assembly. Electing officials at provincial level will weave democracy even deeper into the fabric of Iraqi society where it has not been seen for decades.

This is pretty heady stuff after 30 years of repression.

Polling data and interviews show that an overwhelming majority of Iraqis want to vote. Violent insurgents want to stop them – with car bombs, assassinations, kidnappings and intimidation, particularly in the Sunni areas in the centre of Iraq. In 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces, the level of attacks is relatively low; in some there are none at all. But the violence could affect voter turnout in hard-hit areas such as the provinces of Al Anbar and Ninewa.

The Coalition, multi-national military force, Iraqi armed forces and police have detailed security plans in place at district level to counter the insurgents and allow as many Iraqis eligible to vote to do so. Efforts have been devised for special voting procedures and security plans to make conditions suitable for people to exercise their new right to vote.

While there is concern that participation in the Sunni areas in the centre of Iraq will be low, there will be other opportunities for Sunni participation in the new government, in the tripartite leadership team that the Assembly will appoint, as well as in the Cabinet positions

There are those who advocated postponing these elections, but postponement at this stage would have encouraged the insurgents and set back Iraq' s forward progress. Building the democracy desired by a large majority of Iraqis will require persistence and patience, and this election is a key test of that.

The preparations for the election have shown that there are

many courageous Iraqis willing to take risks to organise this election and present themselves as

candidates. After today, Iraqis will need the help of the international community in the critical days

and weeks ahead. They deserve it. Americans, Maltese, and all

people around the world who believe in freedom should support them as they take on this next challenge in their transition to democracy.