Baghdad, Fallujah, Baquba, Samarra and other cities in Iraq were hit by mortar rounds or bombs, many of them exploding near polling stations.

In Baghdad, a Katyusha rocket flattened a residential building, killing 12 people and wounding 10.

Iraq has held its parliamentary elections, amid threats and violence aimed at keeping voters from the polls. Results are expected in the coming day. The AP’s Matt Ford has more from Southern Iraq. Nasiriyah, Iraq festive … music in streets to encourage people to vote.

Nasiriyah is Iraq’s fourth most populated city after Baghdad, Basra and Mosul. Seven years ago, March 23, 2003, a supply convoy of the U.S. Army took a wrong turn into Nasiriyah and was ambushed. Eleven soldiers were killed and six soldiers, including Private Jessica Lynch, were captured. The convoy fought off Iraqi counterattacks for several hours, until being rescued by the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. During heavy urban fighting, 18 Marines were killed including at least one Marine who was killed when A-10s mistakenly strafed a company of Marines north of the Saddam Canal.

Wikipedia: Nasiriyah | Battle of Nasiriyah

SOURCES:
The Australian Iraq poll marred by blast deaths

Reuters/Yahoo! News Iraq holds landmark vote, attacks kill 38