Long lines formed at gas stations in Baghdad today as word spread that Iraq’s largest oil refinery had shut down in the face of threats against truck drivers, and fears grew of a petrol shortage.

Large demonstrations broke out across Iraq today to denounce parliamentary elections that protesters called rigged in favour of the main religious Shiite coalition.

Iraq’s electoral commission released partial and preliminary results today from the last week’s elections that showed Shiite and Kurdish parties dominating in provinces where they are the predominant group.

Preliminary results today from 89% of Baghdad ballot boxes showed the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance ahead with 58% of the vote in Iraq’s biggest electoral district, an electoral official said.

Sunni Arab participation in the Iraqi elections could have been even higher if there had there been more polling centres in key Sunni areas, a head of the largest Sunni Arab slate said today.

Violence was light but security heavy today as Iraqis voted for a new parliament that many hope brings a bigger political stake for the Sunni Arab minority blamed for the much of the insurgency.

Iraqis went to cast their vote for a new government today as polling stations opened amid huge security.