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Iraq poll hit by deadly attacks | Iraq poll hit by deadly attacks |
(40 minutes later) | |
Iraq's second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion has been hit by multiple attacks, with at least 35 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
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 | |
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. | 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. | |
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, 25 people were killed when an explosion destroyed a residential building in Baghdad, officials said. | In one attack, 25 people were killed when an explosion destroyed a residential building in Baghdad, officials said. |
AT THE SCENE By Gabriel Gatehouse, BBC News, Baghdad | AT THE SCENE By Gabriel Gatehouse, BBC News, Baghdad |
Despite the violence of the morning there was a steady stream of voters throughout the day at polling stations around Baghdad. | Despite the violence of the morning there was a steady stream of voters throughout the day at polling stations around Baghdad. |
Some complained that their names were missing from the register and so were unable to cast their vote. | Some complained that their names were missing from the register and so were unable to cast their vote. |
But overall the poll appears to have gone smoothly and the massive security operation to have prevented any large scale attacks. | But overall the poll appears to have gone smoothly and the massive security operation to have prevented any large scale attacks. |
The counting of the vote will be followed by what is likely to be a long and fragile period of negotiations between the various political parties before a new government is formed. | The counting of the vote will be followed by what is likely to be a long and fragile period of negotiations between the various political parties before a new government is formed. |
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. | 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. |
No polling stations were reported to have been hit. | 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. |
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. | 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. |
Curbs on buses and lorries remained in force through the day. | Curbs on buses and lorries remained in force through the day. |
'Important choice' | 'Important choice' |
Candidates from 86 factions were 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 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. |
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," Associated Press news agency 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. |
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The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse visits a polling station in Baghdad | The 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. |
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