First national election since US departure will be crucial to stability as Iraq soldiers vote held

Iraqi forces cast ballots ahead of provincial polls

AFP

Iraqi soldiers and policemen cast their ballots for provincial elections on Saturday, a week ahead of the main vote that comes amid an uptick in violence and a long-running political crisis. The credibility of the elections, the first since March 2010 parliamentary polls, has been drawn into question. | Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles