**Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has called on voters to turn out in large numbers for parliamentary elections.**Making a televised address on the eve of the vote, Mr Maliki said voter participation would boost democracy.
Security across Iraq has been stepped up: the border with Iran is closed and thousands of troops have been deployed around the country.
The vote is the second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion which led to fall of Saddam Hussein.
The previous election, in 2005, saw Mr Maliki become prime minister with Shia Muslim parties dominating the legislature.
Iraq’s last elections were in February 2009, when voters chose local representatives.
‘Important choice’
The election is taking place against a backdrop of hugely reduced violence, with casualty figures among civilians, Iraqi forces and US troops significantly lower than in recent years.
But hundreds of people are still being killed each month, corruption is high and the provision of basic services such as electricity is still sporadic.
IRAQI GENERAL ELECTION
- Voting to elect 325-member parliament.
- About 19 million eligible voters out of 28 million
- 200,000 security personnel on duty in Baghdad
- Key issues: Security, services and disqualification of alleged Baathists
- Previous votes: Jan 2005 (transitional national assembly), Oct 2005 (constitution), Dec 2005 first post-invasion parliament, Feb 2009 (local elections)
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Against that backdrop, 19 million Iraqi eligible to vote will be asked to elect 325 members of parliament.
Some 200,000 security personnel will be on duty to ensure the day goes smoothly.
Earlier on Saturday, a car bomb ripped through the city of Najaf killing several Shia pilgrims near the Imam Ali Mosque.
In his TV address, Mr Maliki urged Iraqis not to opt out of the democratic process.
“I call upon you to benefit from democracy with consciousness… you have to go to the ballots and take part in the elections actively,” he said.
“I also call upon you to choose well the one you choose for the next mission. The upcoming stage will be important and the one who you will choose will remain in power for four years.”
Expats crucial
The elections are being seen as a crucial test for Iraq’s national reconciliation process ahead of a planned US military withdrawal in stages.
Correspondents say Prime Minister Mr Maliki looks likely to retain power at the head of his Shia-led coalition.
The key will be whether Mr Maliki can bring Iraq’s embittered Sunni minority into his government and make them feel they have a stake in Iraq’s political future again.
Expatriate votes cast in Jordan and Syria could play a deciding role in a tight election race, counting for around 10 seats in the 325-member parliament, which will form the next government.
They began voting on Friday, with security forces, detainees and hospital patients able to vote on Thursday.
There was a reportedly high turnout, with estimates suggesting 800,000 people cast ballots.
There has been pre-election violence in Iraq and insurgents have vowed to disrupt the poll.
Travel around the country has been restricted and the authorities have cancelled all leave for security services.
On Thursday at least 14 people were killed in Baghdad as suicide bombers attacked two polling stations in different parts of the capital. Earlier in the day, a mortar attack on a crowded market killed seven.
On Wednesday, three suicide bombers attacked police and a hospital in Baquba, a city north of Baghdad, killing at least 30 people.