Iraq Electoral Commission backtracks on turnout (60% from 72%) - 44 dead [View All]

[expatriot]

BAGHDAD, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Iraq's Electoral Commission backtracked on earlier estimates of voter turnout in the election, saying a previous figure of 72 percent "was just an estimate" and indicated the actual figure was lower.

At a news conference, commission spokesman Farid Ayar called the 72 percent figure a "guess" and said maybe up to 8 million Iraqis voted, which would be a little over 60 percent of registered voters.

"Percentages and numbers come only after counting and will be announced when it's over ... It's too soon to say that those were the official numbers," he said. "The numbers are only guessing."

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MAR055907.htm

ABC REPORTS 44 DEAD

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=455514&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312