This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8553929.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 28 Version 29
Iraq poll hit by deadly attacks Iraq poll hit by deadly attacks
(about 1 hour later)
Iraq's second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion has been hit by multiple attacks, with at least 24 people being killed. Iraq's second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion has been hit by multiple attacks, with at least 35 people being killed.
Two buildings were destroyed in the capital and dozens of mortars were fired across Baghdad and elsewhere.Two buildings were destroyed in the capital and dozens of mortars were fired across Baghdad and elsewhere.
Despite the violence, there were long queues of voters at polling stations in a number of cities.
Polls closed at 1700 (1400 GMT) but people already in line were allowed to cast their votes.
An immense security operation was mounted, involving more than 500,000 Iraqi security personnel.
The border with Iran was closed, thousands of troops were deployed, and vehicles were banned from roads.The border with Iran was closed, thousands of troops were deployed, and vehicles were banned from roads.
Despite the violence, turnout appeared to be strong in several cities, with healthy queues at polling stations.
Polls began to close at 1700 local time (1400 GMT) with exceptions to allow people waiting in line the chance to vote.
PM Nouri Maliki had called on voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that participation would boost democracy.PM Nouri Maliki had called on voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that participation would boost democracy.
We are operating in a battlefield and our warriors are expecting the worst Maj Gen Qassim al-MoussawiBaghdad security spokesman In pictures: Election day Iraq: Key facts and figures We are operating in a battlefield and our warriors are expecting the worst Maj Gen Qassim al-MoussawiBaghdad security spokesman In pictures: Election day Iraq: Key facts and figures
Correspondents in the northern Kurdish city of Suleimaniya reported an early morning surge of voters, while in Baghdad correspondents say some were waiting for attacks - which are traditionally more frequent in the morning - to subside before heading out to the polls. Correspondents in the northern Kurdish city of Suleimaniya reported an early morning surge of voters, while in Baghdad correspondents said there was a steady stream of voters after the morning's attacks.
A strong turnout was also reported in Sunni areas of the country, where many people in 2005 decided not to vote.
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.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. In one attack, 25 people were killed when an explosion destroyed a residential building in Baghdad, officials said.
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 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. Dozens of mortars were also fired in different sections of the capital and there were mortar attacks and roadside bombs in other cities including Mosul, Falluja and Mahmudiya.
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 Falluja, and there were also reports of mortar rounds being fired in Salahuddin province. No polling stations were reported to have been hit.
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. But despite the hail of attacks, Baghdad's security spokesman Maj Gen Qassim al-Moussawi said a car ban aimed at stopping car bombs had been lifted after four hours of voting, Reuters reported.
Most of the mortars were fired from Baghdad's predominantly Sunni districts, said the city's security spokesman, Maj Gen Qassim al-Moussawi. Curbs on buses and lorries remained in force through the day.
"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'
Candidates from 86 factions are vying for 325 parliamentary seats, with some 19 million Iraqis eligible to vote. Candidates from 86 factions were vying for 325 parliamentary seats, with some 19 million Iraqis eligible to vote.
IRAQI GENERAL ELECTION Voting to elect 325-member parliament.About 19 million eligible voters out of 28 millionAround 6,200 candidates from 86 factions competing200,000 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) Guide to groups in Iraqi election Bridging Sunni-Shia divides New Kurdish party's challengeIRAQI GENERAL ELECTION Voting to elect 325-member parliament.About 19 million eligible voters out of 28 millionAround 6,200 candidates from 86 factions competing200,000 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) Guide to groups in Iraqi election Bridging Sunni-Shia divides New Kurdish party's challenge
Despite Sunday's attacks, Iraq's independent electoral commission said only two of 50,000 polling stations across the country had been closed for short periods due to security concerns.Despite Sunday's attacks, Iraq's independent electoral commission said only two of 50,000 polling stations across the country had been closed for short periods due to security concerns.
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."
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," Associated Press news agency 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 Suleimaniya, and said the election marked both a step, and a test, on Iraq's march to democracy.President Jalal Talabani, seeking another term, was among the first to vote on Sunday in Suleimaniya, 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.
Test for democracy?Test for democracy?
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.
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.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.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse visits a polling station in BaghdadThe BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse visits a polling station in Baghdad
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? Are you voting? What is the atmosphere like? Send us your comments and pictures.Are you in Iraq? Are you voting? 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.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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