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Blast Kills 5 in Iraq as Early General Election Voting Begins

   VOA News 04 March 2010
   An Iraqi army soldier with an ink stained index finger stands guard at
   the entrance of a polling station

Photo: AFP

   An Iraqi army soldier with an ink stained index finger stands guard at
   the entrance of a polling station in central Baghdad, 04 Mar 2010

   An explosion killed at least five people in the Iraqi capital Thursday
   as  soldiers,  prisoners  and  hospital patients cast ballots in early
   voting in the country's general election.
   Officials  say  the blast, caused by either a rocket or a bomb, struck
   near a polling station that was not being used.
   Theattack  came despite increased security at Baghdad polling centers,
   where  those  who may not be able to get to the polls Sunday took part
   in the early voting session.
   Officials  have  warned  that  insurgents  may  increase attacks in an
   attempt  to  disrupt  the vote, which is only the second parliamentary
   election since former dictator Saddam Hussein was overthrown in 2003.
   On  Wednesday,  three  suicide  bombers  blew themselves up in Baquba,
   northeast  of the capital, killing at least 31 people in the deadliest
   attack in weeks.
   Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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