Iraqi voter turnout tops 60 percent

BAGHDAD, March 8 (UPI) -- More than 60 percent of eligible Iraqi voters turned for parliamentary elections during the weekend, elections officials said Monday.

The international community heaped praise on the bravery of the Iraqi people for showing enthusiasm for the democratic process developing in their country. Iraqis chose from a list of around 6,000 candidates competing for seats on the 325-member Parliament.

The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission in a Monday news conference said about 60 percent of the eligible people turned out to vote in Sunday elections. The northern Kurdish province of Dahuk had the highest turnout with 80 percent. Missan province in the south had the lowest at about 50 percent.

Iraq was hit with a spate of suicide attacks meant to intimidate voters on Election Day. Around 40 people were killed in the various attacks.

IHEC said there about 160 registered complains filed with election officials. More than 120 of those came from the Kurdish province of Sulaymaniyah.

Iyad Allawi, a former prime minister and head of the secular Iraqiya slate, complained confusion at polling centers inside and outside the country raised questions about IHEC's performance.

Allawi is one of leading candidates challenging Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for the top job in Baghdad. Maliki's State of Law coalition, which scored major victories in 2009 provincial elections, is seen as a major contender for Parliament.

U.S. military planners are watching the next few weeks with anticipation as Washington begins making plans to pull combat troops from Iraq by the end of August.

It could take four months for the next government to form.