Iraqis hope the election will lead to reduced violence Iraq's second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion has been hit by multiple attacks, with at least 35 people being killed.Two buildings were destroyed in Baghdad and dozens of mortars were fired across the capital and elsewhere. Despite the violence, there were long queues of voters at polling stations in a number of cities. Polls closed at 1700 (1400 GMT) but people already in line were allowed to cast their votes. An immense security operation was mounted, involving more than 500,000 Iraqi security personnel. The border with Iran was closed, thousands of troops were deployed, and vehicles were banned from roads. Prime Minister Nouri Maliki had called on voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that participation would boost democracy. I am not scared and I am not going to stay put at home Baghdad voter In pictures: Election day Iraq: Key facts and figures In Washington US President Barack Obama issued a statement after polls had closed, saying Iraqis had chosen "to shape their future through the political process".[Read more...]