U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have declared the Iraqi election to be a resounding success.
Sunday’s vote was the first multi-party election held in more than fifty years.
Although the tally will not be complete for as long as ten days, officials said the turnout was higher than expected, especially in light of the escalated campaign of violence waged by terrorists to discourage participation in the election.
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An estimated eight million Iraqis voted, about 60% of those who registered.
At least 36 people died in election-day attacks across Iraq.
Turnout was reported to be higher in minority Shi’ite and Kurdish areas than among Sunnis.
President Bush said the Iraqi people “have demonstrated the kind of courage that is always the foundation of self-government.” In London, Blair said it was “humbling” that the Iraqi people came out in spite of the danger.