Voters in Iraq are casting their ballots in Parliamentary elections. But as polling stations opened around twenty explosions were heard in Baghdad. At least 24 people have been killed. At least two buildings have been destroyed and dozens of mortars fired across Baghdad and elsewhere.In Baghdad, security forces have lifted a ban on cars using the streets despite constant bomb attacks. This is the second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion. Iraq Prime Minister Nouri Maliki told newsmen that the violence should not deter the voters from turning out. Earlier, he called on voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that participation would boost democracy. Voters will choose from more than 6,000 candidates vying for seats in the 325-member assembly.AIR correspondent Dushyant Ojha reports from Dubai that this is country’s second parliamentary election since the US-led overthrow of former president Saddam Hussein. Analysts point out that Security is a major concern for Iraqis during and after the election but Iraq is on much sounder footing today than it was in last parliamentary election in 2005. According to a report of US army, there have been fewer casualties in last four months than at any time in the last three years. In this election more than 6500 candidates mainly from different blocks are contesting for the prominence in the 325 member parliament which will also include 82 women parliamentarians for the first time.