TEMPO.CO, Baghdad - Scores of people were killed and others injured in suicide bombings in several areas in Iraq on Monday, a few days ahead of the country’s general elections.
Reports on the total number of victims have been vary. According to Reuters, at least 30 people were killed and 50 others were wounded during a political meeting in Khanaqin City, around 140 kilometers northeast of Baghdad, while Al Jazeera reported 36 deaths and 60 wounded victims.
"The attacker snuck among the crowds near the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's headquarters and blew himself up, causing a tragic massacre," a policeman said, sobbing after he discovered his brother was among those killed.
Another suicide bombing also occurred near a polling station in Kirkuk, killing seven policemen. In total, suicide bombings across polling stations in the country have killed at least 62 people, including 19 security personnel, according to Al Jazeera.
"The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) had said they would carry out attacks both on campaign days and the polling days, and they've made good on their promise,” said Al Jazeera's Imran Khan.
The elections in Iraq began on Monday for Iraqi army and military personnel. They voted early so they could protect polling stations and voters for the election day on Wednesday.
More than 9,000 candidates are competing for 328 seats in parliament, which is widely expected to be won by an alliance led by Shia Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the Associated Press news agency reported.
ANINGTIAS JATMIKA | REUTERS | AL JAZEERA
