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Iraqis vote in general election Iraqis vote in general election
(10 minutes later)
Polling stations across Iraq have opened in the second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion.Polling stations across Iraq have opened in the second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion.
Despite extra security measures to prevent violence, at least 17 people died in two separate blasts in Baghdad.Despite extra security measures to prevent violence, at least 17 people died in two separate blasts in Baghdad.
The border with Iran has been closed, thousands of troops deployed, and vehicle movement has been banned.The border with Iran has been closed, thousands of troops deployed, and vehicle movement has been banned.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki called on voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that participation would boost democracy.Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki called on voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that participation would boost democracy.
The election is taking place against a backdrop of much reduced violence, with casualty figures among civilians, Iraqi forces and US troops significantly lower than in recent years.The election is taking place against a backdrop of much reduced violence, with casualty figures among civilians, Iraqi forces and US troops significantly lower than in recent years.
AT THE SCENE By John Simpson, BBC News, BaghdadAT THE SCENE By John Simpson, BBC News, Baghdad
There are fears that violence will mar the polls, but not destroy them or undermine their credibility.There are fears that violence will mar the polls, but not destroy them or undermine their credibility.
Some of the violence is due to extremist Sunnis trying to stop other Sunnis from voting.Some of the violence is due to extremist Sunnis trying to stop other Sunnis from voting.
There have been some 20 mortar strikes across Baghdad throughout the morning, some striking in the Green Zone, but this is what the security forces were expecting.There have been some 20 mortar strikes across Baghdad throughout the morning, some striking in the Green Zone, but this is what the security forces were expecting.
Iraq is a new democracy and it has not got used to this process yet - it could take months before we get a government here. Iraq is one of the most dangerous countries in the world and the pressing problem is not so much the violence as the nature of the democratic process.
This is a new democracy and it has not got used to this process yet - it could take months before we get a government here.
But hundreds of people are still being killed each month, corruption is high and the provision of basic services such as electricity is still sporadic.But hundreds of people are still being killed each month, corruption is high and the provision of basic services such as electricity is still sporadic.
In the latest violence, 12 people were killed and eight injured when an explosion destroyed a residential building in northern Baghdad, officials said, shortly after another blast in the city killed five others.In the latest violence, 12 people were killed and eight injured when an explosion destroyed a residential building in northern Baghdad, officials said, shortly after another blast in the city killed five others.
Sporadic mortar fire could be heard across the city after polls opened at 0400 GMT, and there were also reports of mortar rounds being fired in Salahuddin province.Sporadic mortar fire could be heard across the city after polls opened at 0400 GMT, and there were also reports of mortar rounds being fired in Salahuddin province.
Islamic militants had pledged to disrupt the voting process with attacks - a group affiliated to al-Qaeda distributed leaflets in Baghdad warning people not to go to the polls.Islamic militants had pledged to disrupt the voting process with attacks - a group affiliated to al-Qaeda distributed leaflets in Baghdad warning people not to go to the polls.
A vast operation, involving more than half-a-million members of Iraq's combined security forces, has been put in place to try to prevent attackers from disrupting the election.A vast operation, involving more than half-a-million members of Iraq's combined security forces, has been put in place to try to prevent attackers from disrupting the election.
'Important choice''Important choice'
The previous election, in 2005, saw Mr Maliki become prime minister with Shia Muslim parties dominating the legislature.The previous election, in 2005, saw Mr Maliki become prime minister with Shia Muslim parties dominating the legislature.
President Jalal Talabani, seeking another term, said: "This election marks another step in the march of our democracy - and also a test."President Jalal Talabani, seeking another term, said: "This election marks another step in the march of our democracy - and also a test."
IRAQI GENERAL ELECTION Voting to elect 325-member parliament.About 19 million eligible voters out of 28 million200,000 security personnel on duty in BaghdadKey issues: Security, services and disqualification of alleged BaathistsPrevious votes: Jan 2005 (transitional national assembly), Oct 2005 (constitution), Dec 2005 first post-invasion parliament, Feb 2009 (local elections) Iraq: Key facts and figures Guide to groups in Iraqi election Bridge to stability New Kurdish party's challengeIRAQI GENERAL ELECTION Voting to elect 325-member parliament.About 19 million eligible voters out of 28 million200,000 security personnel on duty in BaghdadKey issues: Security, services and disqualification of alleged BaathistsPrevious votes: Jan 2005 (transitional national assembly), Oct 2005 (constitution), Dec 2005 first post-invasion parliament, Feb 2009 (local elections) Iraq: Key facts and figures Guide to groups in Iraqi election Bridge to stability New Kurdish party's challenge
He was among the first to vote on Sunday in the Kurdish city of Sulamaniyah.He was among the first to vote on Sunday in the Kurdish city of Sulamaniyah.
Iraq's last elections were in February 2009, when voters chose local representatives.Iraq's last elections were in February 2009, when voters chose local representatives.
In a rare public appearance, radical Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, speaking in neighbouring Iran, urged Iraqis to vote and to reject violence.In a rare public appearance, radical Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, speaking in neighbouring Iran, urged Iraqis to vote and to reject violence.
Against that backdrop, 19 million Iraqi eligible to vote are electing 325 members of parliament.Against that backdrop, 19 million Iraqi eligible to vote are electing 325 members of parliament.
Polls will close at 1400 GMT unless voting hours are extended.Polls will close at 1400 GMT unless voting hours are extended.
Some 200,000 security personnel are on duty to ensure the day goes smoothly.Some 200,000 security personnel are on duty to ensure the day goes smoothly.
In his TV address, Mr Maliki urged Iraqis not to opt out of the democratic process.In his TV address, Mr Maliki urged Iraqis not to opt out of the democratic process.
"I call upon you to benefit from democracy with consciousness... you have to go to the ballots and take part in the elections actively," he said."I call upon you to benefit from democracy with consciousness... you have to go to the ballots and take part in the elections actively," he said.
Expats crucial?Expats crucial?
The elections are being seen as a crucial test for Iraq's national reconciliation process ahead of a planned US military withdrawal in stages.The elections are being seen as a crucial test for Iraq's national reconciliation process ahead of a planned US military withdrawal in stages.
Correspondents say Prime Minister Maliki looks likely to retain power at the head of his Shia-led coalition.Correspondents say Prime Minister Maliki looks likely to retain power at the head of his Shia-led coalition.
The key will be whether Mr Maliki can bring Iraq's embittered Sunni minority into his government and make them feel they have a stake in Iraq's political future again.The key will be whether Mr Maliki can bring Iraq's embittered Sunni minority into his government and make them feel they have a stake in Iraq's political future again.
Expatriate votes cast in Jordan and Syria could play a deciding role in a tight election race, counting for around 10 seats.Expatriate votes cast in Jordan and Syria could play a deciding role in a tight election race, counting for around 10 seats.
They began voting on Friday, with security forces, detainees and hospital patients able to vote on Thursday.They began voting on Friday, with security forces, detainees and hospital patients able to vote on Thursday.
There was a reportedly high turnout, with estimates suggesting 800,000 people cast ballots.There was a reportedly high turnout, with estimates suggesting 800,000 people cast ballots.
There has been pre-election violence in Iraq and insurgents have vowed to disrupt the poll.There has been pre-election violence in Iraq and insurgents have vowed to disrupt the poll.
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.
Are you in Iraq? Will you be going to the polls? What is the atmosphere like? Send us your comments and pictures.Are you in Iraq? Will you be going to the polls? What is the atmosphere like? Send us your comments and pictures.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100.If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100.If you have a large file you can upload here.
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