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Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: Strong turnout in landmark Iraq elections AFP - Monday, February 2 BAGHDAD (AFP) - - Just over half of Iraq's voters turned out for the country's provincial elections, officials said on Sunday, after what was being hailed as a milestone for the future of the war-torn nation. ADVERTISEMENT The 51 percent turnout figure was lower than expected, a result likely to disappoint Iraqi and US leaders who saw Saturday's vote as a key test for a nation trying to secure stability and shore up democracy six years after the US-led invasion . "Turnout reached 51 percent at the national level," Iraqi election commission chief Faraj al-Haydari told a press briefing, adding that 7.5 million of the 15 million-strong electorate cast ballots in 14 of 18 provinces. Early unofficial indicators had suggested a turnout of around 60 percent, with a tight security clampdown in place across the country to guard against militant attacks that may have deterred voters. But the final figure proved lower than the 55.7 percent seen in elections four years ago, the Independent High Electoral Commission said. However, there was a relatively high turnout among Sunni Arabs, in stark contrast to 2005 when they boycotted the ballot en masse, infuriated by the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. "We were expecting this turnout, because Iraq is now in a normal situation, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told AFP. But the figure was way below the level of 70-80 percent that Maliki said he was hoping for. Nevertheless, Shiite candidates backed by the prime minister appeared to have posted gains in the poll, which was also being seen as a barometer of his leadership almost three years after he took office. Although Maliki did not stand in the election, he campaigned vigorously for the coalition and a strong showing would be a huge vote of confidence in him and his secular agenda after the years of ethno-religious violence that sent the country to the brink of civil war. Officials said the Maliki vote was strong in the province of Maysan, a former stronghold of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and his Madhi Army militia, where the premier ordered a military sweep against gunmen last year. The military victory over Sadr in Maysan -- and his fighters in Baghdad and Basra -- helped raised Maliki's stature among Iraqis who were becoming horrified by the violence wrought by Shiite militias and death squads. On Saturday, Sunni provinces turned out to vote in force with Salaheddin, Saddam's home province, recording the biggest turnout at 65 percent. Nineveh, the country's second largest province, saw 60 percent turnout while the figure fell to 40 percent in the former rebel stronghold of Anbar, according to the commission's data. The biggest turnout in a Shiite province was Muthanna with 61 percent, but in oil-rich Basra just 48 percent took part. About 40 percent of voters cast their ballot in Baghdad, although the official said the tally was not final. The election witnessed minor organisational and logistical problems but overall "everything went smoothly, without security problems, and effectively," the UN special envoy to Iraq, Staffan de Mistura, said on Saturday. The fact that balloting took place without major violence bodes well for US President Barack Obama, who is seeking a military withdrawal in order to shift more troops to Afghanistan. "This important step forward should continue the process of Iraqis taking responsibility for their future," Obama said on Saturday. Last year Obama put forward a 16-month timetable for the withdrawal of US combat troops, but since taking office on January 20, when he said the United States would "begin to responsibly leave Iraq," he has not stated whether he would stick to his target dates. More than 14,400 candidates stood for 440 seats in 14 of Iraq's 18 provincial councils, which each appoint a governor and oversee finance and reconstruction, with a combined budget of 2.4 billion dollars. Voting in the three autonomous Kurdish provinces and oil-rich Kirkuk is expected later this year. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (1 vote) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: World Senate GOP leader: Let's wait and see on DaschleAP - 15 minutes ago Icelandic set to unveil new govtAFP - 22 minutes ago No. 2 Senate Republican promotes Gregg at commerceAP - 26 minutes ago Pope's bishop pick criticized over Katrina commentAP - 51 minutes ago More than 100 dead in Kenya gasoline blazeAP - 54 minutes ago Enlarge Photo An Iraqi voter holds up her ink-stained finger after leaving a polling station in Khanaqin. Just over half of Iraq's voters turned out for the country's provincial elections, after what was being hailed as a milestone for the future of the war-torn nation. Most Popular – World Viewed Octuplets' mother already had six children: report Turkish PM defends Gaza outburst 'Superman' Brown falls to earth as recession hits Britain Soldier suicides hit record in 2008: US Army Exxon notches 45.22 billion dlrs record profit View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

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