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Iraqis vote in first elections since IS defeat Iraqis vote in first elections since IS defeat
(about 14 hours later)
Iraqis have voted in the first parliamentary elections since the government declared victory over so-called Islamic State (IS) last year.Iraqis have voted in the first parliamentary elections since the government declared victory over so-called Islamic State (IS) last year.
Around 7,000 candidates from rival coalition alliances are vying for seats in the 329-member assembly.Around 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. The results are scheduled to be officially announced on Monday.
Despite improved security, 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.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had called on "all Iraqis" to take part in the election.Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had called on "all Iraqis" to take part in the election.
"Today Iraq is powerful and unified after defeating terrorism, and this is a huge achievement for all Iraqis," he said after casting his vote."Today Iraq is powerful and unified after defeating terrorism, and this is a huge achievement for all Iraqis," he said after casting his vote.
Polls across the country opened at 04:00 GMT and closed at 15:00 GMT.
Iraqis voted for rival lists of candidates. Most are predominantly Shia or Sunni, though the Kurds have their own lists.Iraqis voted 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.
There is also frustration at a perceived lack of change. One Baghdad resident said that he "regretted" voting in the 2014 elections because "all the promises are lies".There is also frustration at a perceived lack of change. One Baghdad resident said that he "regretted" voting in the 2014 elections because "all the promises are lies".
Reuters reported that voter turnout in several polling stations in the capital appeared low, although the government partially lifted a curfew to encourage voting.Reuters reported that voter turnout in several polling stations in the capital appeared low, although the government partially lifted a curfew to encourage voting.
Security around voting centres was tight. At least three people were killed in an attack near a polling station in the northern province of Kirkuk, according to local media.Security around voting centres was tight. At least three people were killed in an attack near a polling station in the northern province of Kirkuk, according to local media.
The vote came just days after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal.The vote came 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?