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Bloody start to Iraq's election | Bloody start to Iraq's election |
(20 minutes later) | |
There has been a bloody start to Iraq's second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion, with at least 24 people being killed in attacks. | There has been a bloody start to Iraq's second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion, with at least 24 people being killed in attacks. |
At least two buildings have been destroyed and dozens of mortars fired across Baghdad and elsewhere. | At least two buildings have been destroyed and dozens of mortars fired across Baghdad and elsewhere. |
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. |
PM Nouri Maliki called on voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that participation would boost democracy. | PM 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. |
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 one attack, 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. | |
AT THE SCENE By John Simpson, BBC News, Baghdad | AT 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 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. | 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. | 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. |
Seven died in other attacks across the country, but no polling stations are reported to have been hit. | |
Sporadic mortar fire could be heard across the capital after polls opened at 0400 GMT, two bomb blasts were reported near a polling station in Fallujah, and there were also reports of mortar rounds being fired in Salahuddin province. | Sporadic mortar fire could be heard across the capital after polls opened at 0400 GMT, two bomb blasts were reported near a polling station in Fallujah, 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. |
Most of the mortars were fired from Baghdad's predominantly Sunni districts, said the city's security spokesman, Maj Gen Qassim al-Moussawi. | |
"We are in a state of combat," he said. "We are operating in a battlefield and our warriors are expecting the worst." | |
But despite the hail of attacks, he said a car ban aimed at stopping car bombs had been lifted after four hours of voting, Reuters reported. Curbs on buses and lorries remained in force. | |
'Important choice' | 'Important choice' |
Some 19 million Iraqis are eligible to elect 325 members of parliament, and polls will close at 1400 GMT unless voting hours are extended. | Some 19 million Iraqis are eligible to elect 325 members of parliament, and polls will close at 1400 GMT unless voting hours are extended. |
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 challenge | 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 challenge |
Mr Maliki told the BBC that the violence should not deter voters from turning out. | Mr Maliki told the BBC that the violence should not deter voters from turning out. |
"What happened will push voters to take part in the election," he said. | |
"Most of those attacks are designed to psychologically terrorise the voters and prevent them from going to the polls. | |
"But it is well-known that Iraqis when they are challenged by terror, challenge it back." | "But it is well-known that Iraqis when they are challenged by terror, challenge it back." |
In some neighbourhoods, mosque loudspeakers are exhorting people to go out and vote, and voters seem to be heeding the calls. | |
In Azamiyah (northern Baghdad), Walid Abid, 40, cast his vote to the crumple of mortars exploding not far away. | In Azamiyah (northern Baghdad), Walid Abid, 40, cast his vote to the crumple of mortars exploding not far away. |
"I am not scared and I am not going to stay put at home," said the father-of-two. | "I am not scared and I am not going to stay put at home," said the father-of-two. |
"Until when? We need to change things. If I stay home and not come to vote, Azamiyah will get worse," AP quoted him as saying. | "Until when? We need to change things. If I stay home and not come to vote, Azamiyah will get worse," AP quoted him as saying. |
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, was among the first to vote on Sunday in the Kurdish city of Sulamaniyah, and said the election marked both a step, and a test, on Iraq's march to democracy. | |
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. |
Iraq's last elections were in February 2009, when voters chose local representatives. | |
Expats crucial? | Expats crucial? |
Sunday's elections are being seen as a crucial test for Iraq's national reconciliation process ahead of a planned US military withdrawal in stages. | |
US President Barack Obama plans to withdraw combat forces by the middle of this year and all US troops are expected to be out of Iraq by the end of 2011. | US President Barack Obama plans to withdraw combat forces by the middle of this year and all US troops are expected to be out of Iraq by the end of 2011. |
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. |
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. |
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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