Iraqis vote in elections despite violence

By terrorism watch -

(CNN) -
Iraqis headed to the polls Saturday to vote in provincial elections nationwide, the first poll in which the country's forces will provide security without the assistance of U.S. troops.

Elections are being held in most of Iraq's 18 governorates to replace local councils elected in 2009. Some provinces will not hold elections because of insecurity.

A number of bombs were detonated in the days preceding the election, sometimes targeting candidates.

"These attacks have killed more than a dozen candidates and injured many others," the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said this week in a statement condemning the violence.

"Such terrorist acts are a cowardly and unacceptable attempt to undermine Iraq's democracy and a desperate effort to intimidate Iraqis and deter them from participating in the democratic process."

Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki was shown casting his ballot on state-run TV channel Iraqiya.

There is concern that the security situation could affect the outcome of the vote, especially if Iraqis don't participate because of fears that polling stations may come under attack.

U.N. official Martin Kobler appealed Thursday for security forces to be on "heightened alert" so that citizens can vote "in a safe environment without fear of violence."

In the same statement, Kobler -- the special representative in Iraq for the U.N. secretary-general -- stressed that Iraqi leaders must "collectively ensure a transparent and peaceful election, free of intimidation or political interference."

He urged all Iraqis -- men and women -- to vote, casting it as their patriotic duty.

At least 15.5 million Iraqis are eligible to vote in Saturday's polls, the United Nations said, citing official estimates. More than 8,000 candidates are reportedly vying for 378 seats on provincial councils.

The elections are the first Iraq has held since parliamentary elections in 2010.

Source http://www.news4jax.com/news/Iraqis-vote-in-elections-despite-violence/-/475880/19827540/-/format/rsss_2.0/-/nd1cvr/-/index.html

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