In Iraq millions took to the polls yesterday to express their support for President Saddam Hussein. According to government officials, Hussein received 100 percent support from the over 11 million registered voters who cast ballots.

There were no candidates on the ballot, no party ticket to choose from — there wasn’t even a question. People were simply asked to mark one of two boxes: yes or no. The last time a referendum was held on the Iraqi leader was in 1995, when he received 99.96% yes votes.

Iraq said the overwhelming support sent a message to the Bush administration that Iraqis will not accept an American occupation.

Yesterday Jeremy Scahill was one of a handful of foreign journalists who was granted a rare tour of Tikrit, the birthplace of Saddam Hussein. With filmmaker Jacquie Soohen he filed this report after their visit to Tikrit.

This is the fifth installment in our Iraq Journal series.

Tape:

• Jeremy Scahill, Democracy Now! correspondent in Tikrit, Iraq.

Related link:

• Iraq Journal