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| Iraq votes in first elections since IS defeat | Iraq votes in first elections since IS defeat |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Iraqis are voting in the first parliamentary elections since the government declared victory over so-called Islamic State (IS) last year. | |
| About 7,000 candidates from rival coalition alliances are vying for seats in the 329-member assembly. | About 7,000 candidates from rival coalition alliances are vying for seats in the 329-member assembly. |
| Iraq is still struggling to rebuild itself after four years of war against IS, a BBC correspondent says. | Iraq is still struggling to rebuild itself after four years of war against IS, a BBC correspondent says. |
| He says whoever wins will need to keep Iraq's fragile unity in the face of sectarian and separatist tensions. | He says whoever wins will need to keep Iraq's fragile unity in the face of sectarian and separatist tensions. |
| Polls across the country opened at 04:00 GMT and are due to close at 15:00 GMT. | |
| Iraqis can vote for rival lists of candidates. Most are predominantly Shia or Sunni, though the Kurds have their own lists. | Iraqis can vote for rival lists of candidates. Most are predominantly Shia or Sunni, though the Kurds have their own lists. |
| The Shia-led government has won praise for the fight against IS militants, and security has vastly improved across the country. | The Shia-led government has won praise for the fight against IS militants, and security has vastly improved across the country. |
| But many Iraqis are disillusioned by widespread government corruption and a weak economy, the BBC's Martin Patience reports. | But many Iraqis are disillusioned by widespread government corruption and a weak economy, the BBC's Martin Patience reports. |
| The vote also comes just days after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal. | The vote also comes just days after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal. |
| Some Iraqis fear their country could once again become a casualty in any struggle between America and Iran, our correspondent adds. | Some Iraqis fear their country could once again become a casualty in any struggle between America and Iran, our correspondent adds. |
| Iraq elections: Could Iran be the real winner? | Iraq elections: Could Iran be the real winner? |