Iraqis Go To The Polls To Elect A New National Government

Iraqis Vote On Wednesday As Violence Grips Country -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Iraqis head to the polls on Wednesday in their first national election since U.S. forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011 as Prime Minister Nuri Maliki seeks a third term amid rising violence.

The country's western province of Anbar is awash in violence as Sunni Muslim militants challenge the Iraqi military and Shi'ite militias for territory surrounding Baghdad.

The country's economy is struggling and Maliki faces criticism that he is aggravating sectarian splits and trying to consolidate power for political gain.

On Wednesday voters choose among 9,012 candidates and the parliamentary election effectively serves as a referendum on Maliki, a Shi'ite Muslim who has governed eight years.

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More News On Wednesday's National Elections In Iraq

Maliki faces struggle to secure third term as Iraqi PM -- Reuters
No letup in bloodshed as Iraq prepares to vote -- CNN
Iraq’s al-Maliki facing discontent in election -- Washington Post/AP
With discontent rising, al-Maliki could emerge from Iraqi election with narrower base -- FOX News/AP
Unrest in Iraq Narrows Odds for Maliki Win -- New York Times
Kurds fight out internal rivalries in Iraq vote -- Reuters
Q&A: Iraq elections explained -- Al Jazeera
Divided as ever, Iraqis go to the polls -- Haaretz
War returns to Iraq on the eve of elections -- David Ignatius, Washington Post
Divided as ever, Iraqis go to the polls -- Kevin Connolly, BBC
Sectarianism overshadows Iraq's elections; the winner will be Iran -- Ranj Alaaldin, The Guardian
Iraq elections unlikely to bridge sectarian divide -- Michael Stephens, Al Jazeera