Iraq part 2 Ballot papers and insurgency The first elections after the fall of Sadam Hussein by Damian Bird Contd The view through the bullet proof front windscreen of an “up armoured” Humvee on patrol on one of the largest routes running through Baghdad. Several such vehicles have been destroyed on this route by IEDs (improvised explosive devices). US forces through a night vision sight on patrol at night. The night before the first elections. The family is kept outside whilst the house is searched. Almost all house searches are done as a result of “tip offs” from Iraqi sources of people they suspect of being involved in insurgent activities. However many turn out to be bogus and simply as a result to squabbles between neighbours trying to get back at each other for private arguments. US snipers on the roof of a building in Baghdad a few days before the first elections. An Iraqi voter stares in disbelief at his ink stained finger. He told me that he had never imagined that he’d taking part in a democratic election in his life time. ,     Iraqi police can be seen here posing with their favoured weapons. A rare shot of Iraqi women wearing their house clothes. In public they would be wearing black and their heads would be covered as in the photo oposite. Baby girl wearing more colourful clothes than her mother. The women are queuing for free food being given out by US forces. Iraqi woman voter being guided as she place her vote. Iraqi children enjoying some play in the sun. Here’s hoping the little boy in the center of the photograph is holding a toy gun.. Suspected insurgent on his way to be questioned. This soldier’s best friend was killed infront of him in Baghdad the week before this shot was taken. The tattoo reads “never forgotten”. This tattoo artist and soldier makes about a thousand dollars a week from his captive audience. A medium sized tattoo costs around $60. Iraqi army prepairing to play their role in the Election security. A few days before the elections.  Iraqi children playing in the back of their dad’s pick up.  As the tension mounts in Bagdhad, nobody knows what will happen on election day. Insurgent suspect on his way to be questioned. Photo of a soldier’s wife, kept in his helmet to keep him safe. Choice words left on the door of a dead US soldier’s room. The soldier was shot by an insurgent sniper in Bagdhad three weeks before the elections. Father and son standing proudly infront of their oil-can home. Iraqi police the night before the first elections providing security for a polling station in central Bagdhad. V is for victory. Iraqi army showing their joy at the the first democratic elections in living memory. US soldier giving out chickens to the poor of Baghdad who struggle to find enough protein. This is part of the US military “hearts and minds” operation in Iraq. A proud father shows off his son. Their home is made from empty oil cans with mud for mortar. US Abrams battle tanks, parked up but fueled and ready for action. Yellow tinge to the image caused by near by sand storm. Iraqi guides/interpreters are paied well by the US military but lead very stressful lives having to keep their identities secret from everyone around them in order to keep themselves and their families safe from revenge attacks from insurgents. Iraqi family stand infront of their home and allow me to take their portrait. This Iraqi government issued car sticker could be seen in car windows all over Baghdad during the elections and perfectly sums up the futility of the bombings that take place in Iraq in order to disrupt democracy. Many US soldiers have lost their friends in this conflict and the stress of living in fear of your life for up to a year and a half without getting home to loved ones can be seen on the faces of these two US soldiers, travelling at night on patrol in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Many US soldiers decorate their walls with pictures of young women in order to divert them from dwelling on the reality of their situation. As you can see they always keep their rifle close at hand. This Iraqi police officer is keeping his AK47 close at hand as he patrols the neighbourhood near a polling station in central Baghdad. The dark areas on his forehead are from prayer, from bowing to Allah with his head touching the floor. Suspected insurgents can be seen here lying face down in the dirt. They are being guarded by US forces while transport to a location where questioning can take place is arranged. Iraqi soldiers on polling day, gathered here in open-back lorries in preparation for their distribution arround the polling stations of Baghdad. Some of the soldiers feel they should make some efforts to disguise their identities and some are willing to take the risk of being recognised, perhaps out of their deturmination to live in a free Iraq.