Iraqis Vote Amid Tight Security

[unhappycamper]

Iraqis Vote Amid Tight Security
January 31, 2009
Associated Press

BAGHDAD - Iraqis passed through security checkpoints and razor-wire cordons to vote Saturday in provincial elections that are considered a crucial test of the nation's stability as U.S. officials consider the pace of troop withdrawals.

Polls opened shortly after dawn after a step-by-step security clampdown across the country, including traffic bans in central Baghdad and other major cities and closure of border crossings and airports.

There were no reports of serious violence as voting got under way. In Tikrit, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Baghdad, three mortar shells exploded near a polling station, but caused no casualties, said police, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to media.

A bomb found near a Tikrit voting center was defused, police added.

In the Baghdad neighborhood of Karradah, Iraqi police and army soldiers manned a series of checkpoints - some only 200 yards (meters) apart. Stores were closed and the streets cleared of cars.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/iraqis-vote-amid-tight-security.html