Iraqis today started voting in their war-shattered nation's second parliamentary election since the US-led overthrow of dictator Saddam Hussein, as mortar rounds and bombs rocked Baghdad. Four of the mortars landed in the secure Green Zone, where foreign diplomats and several government ministries are based. Three people were killed and nine injured in the blasts. Five blasts also rocked voting stations in Baquba which is 60 kilometres north of the capital. The attacks come despite enormous security arrangements in place for the voting as 2lakh police and soldiers deployed in Baghdad alone. Curfew is imposed on Baghdad and Ramadi since last night as a precautionary measure. All airports and border points have also been closed.According to Iraq's electoral commission, almost one crore 90 lakh Iraqis are eligible to vote at 50 thousand polling stations around the 18 provinces of the country. Over six thousand five hundred candidates representing 86 political entities are contesting for the 325 seats.
News On AIR | March 7, 2010 2:22 PM
Iraqis voting for their Parliamentary election