Healthy Turnout in Iraq Vote

Iraqi voters reportedly turned out in large numbers for the country's first parliamentary election in half a century Sunday. Although terror incidents surged, the number of casualties was lower than many had feared.

Iraqi election officials estimated that 8 million people voted, or about 57% of eligible voters, wire reports said. Another preliminary count will be tallied tomorrow and final results released in about 10 days.

Turnout in some Kurdish and Shiite regions was said to top 80% of registered voters as Iraqis braved threats of insurgent violence to cast ballots. Voters were picking representatives who will draft a constitution for the war-torn country and choose leaders for a temporary government. ...