Iraqi security forces are taking centre stage at this election Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has called on voters to turn out in large numbers for parliamentary elections. Making a televised address on the eve of the vote, Mr Maliki said voter participation would boost democracy. Security across Iraq has been stepped up: the border with Iran is closed, thousands of troops have been deployed, and vehicle movement banned. The vote is the second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion which led to fall of Saddam Hussein. The previous election, in 2005, saw Mr Maliki become prime minister with Shia Muslim parties dominating the legislature. President Jalal Talabani, seeking another term, said: "This election marks another step in the march of our democracy - and also a test." Iraq's last elections were in February 2009, when voters chose local representatives. 'Important choice' The election is taking place against a backdrop of hugely reduced violence, with casualty figures among civilians, Iraqi forces and US troops significantly lower than in recent years. But hundreds of people are still being killed each month, corruption is high and the provision of basic services such as electricity is still sporadic. IRAQI GENERAL ELECTION Voting to elect 325-member parliament. About 19 million eligible voters out of 28 million 200,000 security personnel on duty in Baghdad Key issues: Security, services and disqualification of alleged Baathists Previous votes: Jan 2005 (transitional national assembly), Oct 2005 (constitution), Dec 2005 first post-invasion parliament, Feb 2009 (local elections)
In pictures: Iraq poll violence Iraq: Key facts and figures Guide to groups in Iraqi election Q&A: Iraqi parliamentary polls In a rare public appearance, radical Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, speaking in neighbouring Iran, urged Iraqis to vote and to reject violence. Against that backdrop, 19 million Iraqi eligible to vote will be asked to elect 325 members of parliament. Polls opened at 0400 GMT and close at 1400 GMT unless voting hours are extended. Some 200,000 security personnel will be on duty to ensure the day goes smoothly. Earlier on Saturday, a car bomb ripped through the city of Najaf killing several Shia pilgrims near the Imam Ali Mosque. In his TV address, Mr Maliki urged Iraqis not to opt out of the democratic process. "I call upon you to benefit from democracy with consciousness... you have to go to the ballots and take part in the elections actively," he said. "I also call upon you to choose well the one you choose for the next mission. The upcoming stage will be important and the one who you will choose will remain in power for four years." Expats crucial? The elections are being seen as a crucial test for Iraq's national reconciliation process ahead of a planned US military withdrawal in stages. Correspondents say Prime Minister Mr Maliki looks likely to retain power at the head of his Shia-led coalition. The key will be whether Mr Maliki can bring Iraq's embittered Sunni minority into his government and make them feel they have a stake in Iraq's political future again. Iraqis outside Iraq have been able to vote before Sunday's national election Expatriate votes cast in Jordan and Syria could play a deciding role in a tight election race, counting for around 10 seats in the 325-member parliament, which will form the next government. They began voting on Friday, with security forces, detainees and hospital patients able to vote on Thursday. There was a reportedly high turnout, with estimates suggesting 800,000 people cast ballots. There has been pre-election violence in Iraq and insurgents have vowed to disrupt the poll. Travel around the country has been restricted and the authorities have cancelled all leave for security services. On Thursday at least 14 people were killed in Baghdad as suicide bombers attacked two polling stations in different parts of the capital. Earlier in the day, a mortar attack on a crowded market killed seven. On Wednesday, three suicide bombers attacked police and a hospital in Baquba, a city north of Baghdad, killing at least 30 people. Are you in Iraq? Will you be going to the polls? What is the atmosphere like? Send us your comments and pictures. Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Name
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At least 24 people died today in Baghdad as dozens of mortars were fired throughout the city, destroying at least two buildings. The incidents occurred just as Iraq's parliamentary election commenced. The election is the second since Saddam Hussein was overthrown in 2003. 6,200 candidates are competing for 325 parliament seats in the election.

Insurgents have promised to disrupt the elections by means of violence to show their opposition to America and the Shiite-led Iraqi government. A group linked to al-Qaeda distributed leaflets in the capital advising people against going to vote. Polling opened at 7 AM (local time) and immediately bombs were detonated and mortar rounds landed throughout the city.

In Shurta, West Baghdad, twelve were confirmed dead, and rescue workers saved twenty from the debris of a demolished building. Across the Tigris River, in East Baghdad, five were killed in a blast at a residential building. The Green Zone, the area that hosts the U.S. Embassy and the Prime Minister's office, was also hit by mortar rounds. Seven others died in various parts of the nation. No polling stations were hit.

Nouri Maliki, the present Prime Minister, called for a strong turnout to boost democracy in the country. Although violence in Iraq is much reduced from its peak, hundreds of people are dying each month even now and the country continues to have poor infrastructure. 

To prevent attacks, the border with Iran was shut down, several troops deployed, and movement of unauthorized vehicles banned, leaving Baghdad's roads almost empty. Despite this, people continued to head to the polls. "If we had to crawl, we would crawl in order to vote," said a resident, Ali Abdul Wahab, though according to him: "anyone we vote for will be bad."

On Saturday, a car bomb detonated near a parking lot used by pilgrims in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, killed three. Two Iranians and an Iraqi were those who died in the attack, only about 300 yards from the Imam Ali shrine, a holy site in Shiite Islam. 54 people were wounded, of whom 19 were Iranians.