Category: News; Radio 4; Five Live

Date: 25.01.2005
Printable version

As Iraq stands on the eve of its first democratic election in half a century, BBC News will bring audiences extensive coverage of voting across the country.

Developments before, during and after Sunday's official polling will be covered on BBC Television, Radio and online.

The BBC's Newsgathering operation, which has maintained the longest running news bureau of any western broadcaster in Iraq, will have teams in three key locations.

The BBC's Arabic service will also have a strong presence in many regions, which will further the BBC's coverage.

Correspondents Caroline Hawley, Paul Wood and Roger Hearing, together with Today programme presenter Edward Stourton and the BBC's World Affairs Editor John Simpson, will report from Baghdad, while Ben Brown, Peter Grant and Christian Fraser will be embedded with British troops in and around Basra.

The BBC will also report from the Kurdish areas in the north of the country, with correspondent Jim Muir based in the town of Abril.

John Simpson will also question whether the elections will put Iraq on the road to peace, in a Panorama Special for BBC ONE on Sunday 30 January.

Simpson interviews some of the country's key players and hears the thoughts of ordinary Iraqis about the situation.

The views of the Iraqi public are also heard when celebrated Baghdad blogger Salam Pax reports for BBC TWO's Newsnight.

Also in the programme, business correspondent Paul Mason explores the blogging trend as a more secure alternative for expressing personal views in the country.

The feelings of a cross-section of the Iraqi people and the coalition forces will also continue to be a feature on bbc.co.uk/news.

The website will also offer complete coverage and commentary on the ongoing process.

Additionally, there will be regular updates on all BBC Television bulletins and BBC Radio 4, including The World This Weekend and Broadcasting House on the day of polling.

The BBC's continuous news channels, News 24 and Radio Five Live, will provide comprehensive coverage during voting and offer wide-ranging analysis after the polls close.

Programmes including Breakfast and BBC ONE's The Politics Show will also hear the opinions of Iraqis in the UK, and Newsround will offer a perspective for younger viewers.