William Showcross: The Iraqi people will defy the Ba'athists and Islamofascists. Blair is right. Why aren't more democrats backing these elections? (The Guardian [UK])

Joyful tears and frequent applause marked the start of U.S. voting Friday in Iraq's first independent elections in more than 50 years. (Chicago Tribune)

Thousands of followers of an anti-American Iraqi Shiite cleric showed apathy two days ahead of the landmark elections after he announced to boycott the polls. While some were enthusiastic about the voting, many citizens in Sadr City in eastern suburb of Baghdad said they would not vote on Sunday since their young religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr is not among the candidates. (XINHUA online)

Backgrounder: Major political parties taking part in Iraqi elections. (XINHUA online)

Editorial: E-Day, Iraq. Turning point: the Iraqi elections (Fredericksburd Free Lance-Star)

Iraq's first electoral debate (Friends of Democracy)