Digenis.org

Despite threats from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (the commander of al Qaeda in Iraq), it appears that a great number of Iraqis turned up at the polls today. The Independent Election Commission of Iraq reported a 72% voter turnout, but also stressed that this was just an early estimate. If the actual percentage is anywhere close to that, it’s nothing short of amazing. Compare that, for example, with the fact that voter turnout in US federal elections hasn’t been able to break the 60% mark since the 1960’s.

Of course, the day wasn’t without incident: the Counterterrorism blog discusses the suicide bombings and mortar attacks that took the lives of at least 33 people.

The Friends of Democracy website features great ‘ground-level election news from the people of Iraq’, as well as plenty stories and photo albums from the big day.

Mohammed and Omar are blogging their election day experience at Iraq the Model. Ali does the same at his blog, Free Iraqi. Both are worth reading.