Iraqis brave threat of violence to cast ballots

BAGHDAD: Unshaken by the latest surge in violence, Iraqis braved the threat of bombs and attacks to vote on Wednesday in key elections for a new parliament amid a massive security operation as the country slides deeper into sectarian strife. Hundreds of thousands of troops and police fanned out to guard voting centers in the first nationwide balloting since the 2011 American pullout. Scattered attacks still took place north of Baghdad, killing at least three people and wounding 16. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has held power for eight years, faces growing criticism over government corruption and persistent bloodshed as sectarian tensions threaten to push Iraq back toward the brink of civil war. The 63-year-old Shia leader's State of Law party was widely expected to win the most seats in the 328-member parliament but to fall short of a majority. That would allow al-Maliki to keep his post only if he can cobble together a coalition — a task made more difficult given the divisions with former Sunni Arab and Kurdish allies. Even some of al-Maliki's Shia backers denounce him as a would-be dictator, amassing power for himself, but most in the majority sect see no alternative. Al-Maliki also has the support of neighboring powerhouse Iran, which aides have said will use its weight to push discontented Shia factions into backing him for another term. Polls opened across the energy-rich nation at 7am (0400 GMT, midnight Tuesday EST) and were to close at 6pm There were 22 million eligible voters, choosing from among some 9,000 candidates.   AP