Iraqi vote counting underway

BAGHDAD, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Vote counting was underway in Iraq Sunday after millions braved the threat of violence to vote in the country's first free elections in half a century.

"This is the greatest day in the history of this country," Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie told CNN.

Mortar and gunfire during Election Day took at least 22 lives, with some reports indicating as many as 30 people may have died. CNN reported that an additional 71 people were reported injured.

Officials have said it could take up to 10 days to get final election results, but officials said initial reports indicated voter turnout appeared to be higher than expected, even in Sunni areas where insurgent attacks have occurred on a near daily basis.

A high turnout was reported in Mosul, north of Baghdad. At one polling station, more than 1,500 people had voted by noon local time and, at another polling place, voting managers told United Press International approximately 900 people had cast ballots.

Alami declined to say how many voters showed up in the heavily Sunni Muslim region of al-Anbar province, where insurgents are the strongest. Many in Sunni Muslim areas of Baghdad reportedly remained home because of fears of violence.

The 275 members of the provisional National Assembly being elected will form a government and write a constitution.