Parliamentary elections were held on December 15th in Iraq. Turnout was estimated at nearly 70%. Unlike the previous elections this year, Sunni Arabs turned out in large numbers. Many Sunnis said they were fed up with the situation in Iraq and "were ready to take a stab at post-Baathist Iraqi politics".
Juan Cole reports that "It is not actually a positive sign for the Americans that Sunni Arabs came out to vote in order to get rid of them, to see if they couldn't get rid of the current pro-American government, to underline that the armed struggle will continue, and to prove that Sunni Arabs (20% of so of the population) are a majority of the country! The American faith that if people go to the polls it means they won't also be blowing things up is badly misplaced."
Shia fundamentalist parties are expected to have done well in the election, and some expect the results to be a victory for Iran.
Voting In The Iraqi Elections... From The Bay Area | Voting In Iraq: A Family in Baghdad | Iraq counts ballots after landmark vote | Snipers and sandbags - Iraq votes