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Polling stations attacked in Iraq Polling stations attacked in Iraq
(40 minutes later)
At least 14 people have been killed in Baghdad in the first day of voting in Iraq's parliamentary elections. At least 14 people have been killed in Baghdad on the first day of voting in Iraq's parliamentary elections.
Suicide bombers attacked two polling stations in different areas of the city killing at least seven people and wounding many others.Suicide bombers attacked two polling stations in different areas of the city killing at least seven people and wounding many others.
Earlier in the day, a mortar attack on a crowded market killed seven and wounded at least 10 people.Earlier in the day, a mortar attack on a crowded market killed seven and wounded at least 10 people.
On Wednesday, three suicide bombers attacked police and a hospital in Baquba, killing at least 30 people.On Wednesday, three suicide bombers attacked police and a hospital in Baquba, killing at least 30 people.
The early voting involves hundreds of thousands of government employees, the sick and prisoners.The early voting involves hundreds of thousands of government employees, the sick and prisoners.
The first suicide bomber attacked a polling station in the Mansur district of Baghdad. Tight security
Three soldiers were killed and 15 wounded. The first suicide bomber attacked a polling station in the Mansur district of Baghdad. Three soldiers were killed and 15 wounded.
A little under an hour later another suicide bomber blew himself up in central Baghdad, killing at least four and wounded 10 others. EARLY VOTING Between 600,000 and 700,000 people due to vote before polls on SundayMost are members of the security servicesHospital patients and prisoners also able to vote on ThursdayAbout 19 million due at polls on 7 March class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/7856618.stm">Iraq: Key facts and figures class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8540347.stm">Guide to groups in Iraqi election class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8547906.stm">Q&A: Iraqi parliamentary polls
In the day's first attack a mortar was fired at a polling station, but hit a crowded market in north western Baghdad, news agency AFP reported. A little under an hour later another suicide bomber blew himself up in central Baghdad, killing at least four and wounding 10 others.
Seven people, four of them children, were killed and 23 wounded in the blast, reports said. There were conflicting reports about the first attack of the day in north-western Baghdad.
Security test Agence France-Presse news agency reported that a mortar had been fired at a polling station, but hit a crowded market. Seven people, four of them children, were killed and 23 wounded.
Some reports said it was a roadside booby-trap, others said a rocket had been fired near a school due to be used as a polling station on Sunday. Other reports said the blast was caused by a roadside booby-trap or a rocket fired near a school due to be used as a polling station on Sunday.
Early voting is for members of the security services, prisoners and the sick. Insurgents have threatened to disrupt the elections - regarded as an important test of Iraq's efforts to achieve sovereignty and overcome sectarian divisions.
EARLY VOTING Between 600,000 and 700,000 people due to vote before polls on SundayMost are members of the security servicesHospital patients and prisoners also able to vote on Thursday19 million due at the polls on 7 March class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/7856618.stm">Iraq: Key facts and figures class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8540347.stm">Guide to groups in Iraqi election class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/8547906.stm">Q&A: Iraqi parliamentary polls "Terrorists wanted to hamper the elections, thus they started to blow themselves up in the streets," said Deputy Interior Minister Ayden Khalid Qader said.
The rest of the country will be going to the polls on Sunday. The majority of the country goes to the polls on Sunday. More than 6,000 candidates are competing for 325 seats in the election.
Security is currently on high alert. The alliance led by current Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has claimed credit for a sharp fall in violence between Shia and Sunni militants.
More than 6,000 candidates will be competing for 325 seats in the election. Mr Maliki is being challenged by a number of groups, including a Shia coalition that includes radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and ex-PM Iyad Allawi's secular cross-sectarian alliance.
Travel around the country has been restricted and the authorities have cancelled all leave for security services.Travel around the country has been restricted and the authorities have cancelled all leave for security services.
On polling day itself, more than 200,000 security personnel will be on duty in Baghdad.On polling day itself, more than 200,000 security personnel will be on duty in Baghdad.
The election will be a security test for the country as the US military is preparing to reduce its presence by around half this summer and withdraw completely from Iraq by 2011. The election will be a key security test for the country as the US military is preparing to reduce its presence by around half this summer and withdraw completely from Iraq by 2011.
Are you in Baghdad? Have you been affected by the blasts? Will you be voting in Iraq's elections on 7 March? Send us your comments:Are you in Baghdad? Have you been affected by the blasts? Will you be voting in Iraq's elections on 7 March? Send us your comments:
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions