(VOVworld) – Iraq conducted its first parliamentary election on April 30^th since the US withdrew its troops in late 2011. More than 21 million voters nationwide cast their ballots to elect 328 congressmen from 9,000 candidates.

Security has been tightened in Baghdad (photo: bbc.com)

The election took place amidst various security threats. Attacks targeting polling stations and electoral campaigns in recent days shadowed the important political event. Two days prior to the election, bombings occurred in many localities killing 80 people and wounding dozens of people.