Thursday, December 15 2005 12:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Baghdad: Iraqi polling stations opened today (Dec 15, 2005) in a general election calling 15.5 million to vote for a full-term parliament that marks the final step towards full sovereignty in the war-torn country.

Under blanket security measures that have ground Iraq to a halt, Iraqis were voting at more than 33,000 polling stations for leaders who will govern the country for the next four years.

A total of 7,655 candidates and 307 political entities, nearly triple the number that stood for election for a provisional Government in January, are competing for 275 seats in parliament.

Polling stations opened at 7:00 am (0930 IST) and will close at 5:00 pm.