BAGHDAD, March 7 (UPI) -- A series of terror attacks hit Baghdad and other cities as Iraqis went to the polls to elect a new parliament, officials said.
The New York Times, citing the Interior Ministry, reported at least 38 people were killed in Baghdad with dozens more wounded. The attacks by insurgents were timed to frighten voters away from the polls, the Times said, but were only partly successful.
In Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama congratulated Iraqis on their "courage ... in the face of violence."
"On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the Iraqi people on their courage throughout this historic election," Obama said at the White House. "Today, in the face of violence from those who would only destroy, Iraqis took a step forward in the hard work of building up their country. The United States will continue to help them in that effort as we responsibly end this war, and support the Iraqi people as they take control of their future."
In Baghdad, with dozens of mortar, rocket and bomb attacks slackening, many Iraqis lined up to vote, some expressing outrage, the Times said.
CNN said votes were being counted Sunday after polls closed. A senior U.S. official said turnout could reach 55 percent, the broadcaster reported. The United Nations said preliminary results are expected Wednesday.
The attacks began as some of the estimated 19 million eligible voters began casting ballots at 7 a.m. for 325 seats in parliament. It was the first parliamentary election since 2005.
The national election is the fifth since 2003, but only the second for a full four-year-term parliament.
A mortar rocket killed 12 people in the Ur neighborhood of northeastern Baghdad, CNN reported, and roadside bombs killed an undetermined number of people in the capital.
Militants fired more than 30 mortar rounds, including three that landed inside the International Zone, the location of the U.S. Embassy and numerous Iraqi government buildings. But the rockets caused no casualties.
In Najaf, three people died and 54 suffered injuries Saturday when a car bomb blew up.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki urged people to head to the polls to strengthen democracy and told the BBC the violence should not deter voters.
