Voters go to the polls for historic Iraqi election

EXILED Iraqi voters began voting in western Sydney, Australia, last night in their country's historic elections which are the first since former dictator Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003.

Amid tight security at a converted furniture warehouse, young children mingled with elderly Kurdish women in head-to-toe black robes. About two dozen people jostled to be among the first to vote at 7am. (8pm Irish time).

"This is a long dream that now comes true," said 56-year-old Karim Jari before casting his vote.