Iraq kicked off provincial elections on Saturday morning, with millions expected to pour into polling centers to choose regional leaders under tight security measures.

After the voting began at 7:00 a.m. local time (0400 GMT), the state-run television of Iraqia showed former Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari enter a polling station to cast his vote.

The voting is to close at 5:00 p.m. (1400 GMT).

Iraqi security forces spread into the cities, cordoned off polling centers and imposed a traffic ban on vehicles. Other measures included a ban on movement between provinces.

Up to 14.2 million Iraqis are eligible to vote in the more than 32,000 polling stations across 12 of Iraq's 18 provinces. Over 8,000 candidates are contesting for 378 seats in provincial councils.

The three provinces of the autonomous Kurdistan region, the disputed northern province of Kirkuk and the two unrest-hit Sunni Arab provinces of Anbar and Nineveh are not covered in the elections.

The last provincial elections in Iraq were held in January 2009. The provincial elections are held every four years, according to the Iraqi constitution. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)