A police officer stands guard outside a polling centre as election officials carry in voting booths in Mosul, Iraq. Photograph: AP (The Guardian)Voting Under Way In Iraq Amid Tight Security -- Yahoo News/AP
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. Turnout appeared brisk in many areas and officials extended polling to accommodate crowds.
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