Voters defy bombers to back Iraqi democracy

Iraqis turned out to vote today in their country’s first free election in a half-century, defying insurgents who launched deadly suicide bombings and mortar strikes at polling stations. By midday, at least 36 people were dead but the violence had slowed and voting picked up.

Casting his vote, interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi called it “the first time the Iraqis will determine their destiny.” The head of the main Shiite cleric-endorsed ticket, Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, said: “God willing, the elections will be good ... Today’s voting is very important.”