Some 19 million eligible Iraqi voters headed to polling stations Sunday morning, to elect their representatives for 325 parliamentary seats. The 7,583 polling stations distributed around the country opened their doors at 7:00 a.m. (local time), amidst strict security measures and precautionary air cover. Up to 6,218 candidates, including 1,801 women, are running for elections, according to a report of Kuwait News Agency "KUNA". The Central Elections Commission had prohibited candidates from campaigning within 100 meters of polling stations, and all vehicles had been denied access within the vicinity since last night. Most of the polling stations have been set up in schools and the voting process is being supervised by members of the Central Elections Commission, which has recruited the efforts of retirees. Meanwhile, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani told reporters after casting his ballot that these elections were "a real test" of the country's democracy, and encouraged citizens to go out and vote for their representatives.
