BAGHDAD, Jan. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- An Iraqi election official announced Sunday that an estimated 72 percent of eligible Iraqi voters had turned out nationwide by 2 p.m. (1100 GMT).

An Iraqi election official announced Sunday that an estimated 72 percent of eligible Iraqi voters had turned out nationwide by 2 p.m. (1100 GMT). Turnout was better in Shiite areas and nearly 99 percent of polling stations in the country had opened. (Xinhua/AFP)

   Adel Lami, a member of Iraq's Independent Electoral Commission, told reporters turnout was better in Shiite areas and nearly 99 percent of polling stations in the country had opened.

   There were about 13 million registered Iraqi voters.

   The vote, the first in Iraq in decades, was due to be closed at 5 p.m. (1400 GMT).

   However, there were still some people who chose to shun the vote as violence swept through the country shortly after the polls opened.

   A group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the most wanted man in Iraq, claimed responsibility for suicide attacks on several polling stations in the capital and other parts of the country, which caused some casualties.

   The parliamentary election began at 7:00 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Sunday to usher in a new course of the oil-rich but violence-shattered country.

   The 275-seat National Assembly will be formed by proportional representation of votes with a one-year mandate. It will choose a transitional government and draft a permanent constitution put for a national referendum by Oct. 15.

   A new government and parliament will then be elected through another ballot by the end of this year under the guidance of the constitution. Enditem