An Iraqi national living in Tulsa plans to vote in this weekend's Iraqi elections

Many Iraqi Nationals now living in Oklahoma will soon leave for Tennessee to cast their ballots in the upcoming election for Iraq. <br/><br/>Sarhang Rafaii left Iraq in 1992 after refusing to serve in

Tuesday, January 25th 2005, 8:43 am

By: News On 6

Many Iraqi Nationals now living in Oklahoma will soon leave for Tennessee to cast their ballots in the upcoming election for Iraq.

Sarhang Rafaii left Iraq in 1992 after refusing to serve in Saddam Hussein's army during the Gulf War. He has lived and worked in Tulsa since. But he closely follows developments in his home country.

He'll be one of thousands of Iraqis voting in Nashville, Tennessee. That is one of five polling places set up in the United States for the Iraq election. Rafaii is also encouraging his family in Iraq to vote in the election. "You have to guys go register and you have to vote. Whatever you want to choose, you can vote for your own self. That's for you, your future and your kids future over there."

Despite threats of violence in Iraq, Rafaii predicts high voter turnout for the election.