member National Assembly and lawmakers in 18 provincial legislatures. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, said it was encouraged by Sunday's turnout. "Their active participation despite the very difficult situation reflects a commendable determination to decide their own destiny ... and sovereignty in establishing a democratic Iraq," a Foreign Ministry statement said. In neighboring Malaysia, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who chairs the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference, said he was "very sad" about a series of attacks that accompanied Sunday's voting. At least 44 people died in suicide and mortar attacks on polling stations, including nine suicide bombers. "At the time the election is being held, people are still dying," Abdullah told reporters. "There doesn't seem to be any real way of stopping it." However, Abdullah expressed hope that the poll results would be "credible enough to enable the government to draft a new constitution for Iraq." Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was elected last October, said he was encouraged by reports of a higher-than-expected turnout, despite the violence. "I am happy for the people of Iraq and hope that today's elections will be another important step on the path of achieving stability, democracy and prosperity for our Iraqi brothers and sisters," Karzai said in an e-mailed statement. "The people have refused to let the threats of terrorists deprive them of their right to vote," Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik said. "This is a time of courage and an absolute will for democracy and peace." --spa 1329 Local Time 1029 GMT
