An Iraqi election official claimed today that 72% of eligible Iraqi voters had turned out so far nationwide.

Three militant groups warned Iraqis against voting in the January 30 elections, saying that people participating in the “dirty farce” risked attack.

About 30 gunmen ambushed a car today in central Baghdad carrying employees of the Iraqi organisation running next month’s elections, killing three of the workers while two escaped unhurt, an official from the election body said.