American leaders have praised Iraq’s first national multi-party vote in 50 years, which will occur on Sunday despite growing death threats against voters and escalating violence.

Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said voting would be prevented in some parts of Iraq due to violence. Allawi said there would be some pockets of Iraq that would not participate in the election, but they weren’t very large.

Lack of security has become a serious problem, however.

Although the U.S. military has increased its troops in Iraq from 135,000 to 150,000, Iraqi security forces will provide most of the protection for the polling places, according to a BBC article Tuesday. Iraq also has plans to seal its land borders for three days around the election in hopes of stopping possible insurgents from entering the country. This security measure may not prove that effective, however — large areas of the country are unstable, which has inhibited voter registration, Iraqi officials said.

“It’s gonna be bloody,” said Richard Mansbach, professor of political science. “There’s prospect for massive suicide bombing against folks going to vote.”

Leaflets containing insurgent propaganda have been appearing throughout Baghdad, according to a New York Times article. The leaflets display words of warning, terror and intimidation.

“To those of you who think you can vote and then run away, we will shadow you and catch you, and we will cut off your heads and the heads of your children,” the leaflet said.

Sunni Muslims only make up about 20 percent of the population, unlike Shiite Muslims — also called Shi’a Muslims — who account for around 60 percent, which makes voting difficult for the Sunni minority. As a result, some Sunnis are boycotting the election since Shi’a Muslims are likely to win the most seats.

“We know the winners in advance, that’s the problem,” Mansbach said.

“My guess is, after elections, it will be a Shi’a-dominated government with a powerful interest in suppressing the insurgency.”

Robert Baum, associate professor of religious studies, said the Shiites have never had power and have been suppressed because of their religion.

“This election will finally allow them to take control,” he said. “But there needs to be protection of minority rights.” Baum said Iraqi citizens are putting their lives into their own hands by voting.

During a recent press conference, President Bush said that “democracy is the way forward” and urged Iraqis to defy insurgents and vote.

“I anticipate a grand moment in Iraqi history,” Bush said.