Iraqi army 1st Lt. Merbad Abid Hassan inspects his platoon prior to leaving for the polling station in Hayji to vote Dec. 12, 2005. On Dec. 15, Iraqi citizens will elect their first permanent parliamentary government, which will lead the new democracy for the next four years. Iraqi security forces vote early so that they can provide security during the general election. Pic: Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway, U.S. Air Force.