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Iraq poll hit by deadly attacks Iraq poll hit by deadly attacks
(10 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 We mourn the tragic loss of life today, and honour the courage and resilience of the Iraqi people who once again defied threats to advance their democracy US President Barack Obama In pictures: Election day Iraq: Key facts and figures
In Washington US President Barack Obama issued a statement once polls had closed, saying Iraqis had chosen "to shape their future through the political process".
"We mourn the tragic loss of life today, and honour the courage and resilience of the Iraqi people who once again defied threats to advance their democracy," he said.
Multiple 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.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. Queues were also reported at polling stations 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 took 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, BaghdadAT 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 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 class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/haveyoursay/2010/03/what_will_the_iraq_elections_a.html">Send us your comments
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 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.
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