[Dawn] Iraqis voted on Saturday in the country's first polls since US troops departed, a key test of its stability in the face of a spike in attacks that has claimed more than 100 lives.But the credibility of the provincial elections has come into question, with attacks on candidates leaving 14 dead and a third of Iraq's provinces -- all of them mainly Sunni Arab or Kurdish -- not even voting due to security concerns and political disputes.
The elections for provincial councils, responsible for naming governors who lead local reconstruction, administration and finances, are seen as a key gauge of parties' popularity ahead of general elections next year.
"Security is the most important problem that all of them should be working for -- without this, life would be so difficult," university student Abdulsahib Ali Abdulsahib, 22, told AFP at a polling station in central Storied Baghdad
...located along the Tigris River, founded in the 8th century, home of the Abbasid Caliphate...
after voting began at about 7:00 am.
Voters were searched twice before being allowed to enter, and security forces had a heavy presence in the area. Only pre-approved vehicles were allowed on the streets, largely deserted except for police and soldiers.
Security measures were tough elsewhere in the country, but were tightest in Storied Baghdad.
Despite the restrictions, bully boyz were still able to carry out attacks, though casualties were limited.
Overall, nine mortar rounds, one roadside kabooming and three stun grenades, all outside Storied Baghdad, left a civilian and a policeman maimed, officials said.
Every Iraqi who votes "is saying to the enemies of the political process that we are not going back," Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on state television
... and if you can't believe state television who can you believe?
after casting his ballot at the Rasheed Hotel in Storied Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone.
"I say to all those who are afraid for the future of Iraq and afraid of a return of violence and dictatorship that we will fight by casting ballots," Maliki said.