Updated at 5:13 p.m. EST, March 6, 2010
Only three successful attacks were reported on election eve; however, one was not only significant, it also harmed pilgrims visiting from Iran. At least four Iraqis and four Iranians were killed. Another 20 Iraqis and 37 Iranians were wounded.
Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr made a rare public appearance in Tehran to urge his followers to participate in tomorrow’s election. He had been expected to say a message to his followers; however, many had hoped he would return to Iraq ahead of the election. Any chance of that was dashed when rumors over an arrest warrant for him circulated around Iraq. Sadr is just one of several key players exerting his influence through various coalitions in tomorrow’s election.
In other election news, the Speaker of Parliament, Ayad al-Samarrai, warned of years of conflict if the new government is not seen as just and does not work to solve discrimination.
A car bomb in Najaf killed at least four Iranians and three Iraqis, who were visiting the holy city. At least 54 people were also wounded, 37 of them Iranian. Although the bomber targeted foreign pilgrims, the provincial governor believes the bombing was politically motivated.
In Baghdad, a pair of bombs in Doura wounded six people, including first responders.
A woman as killed and two civilians were wounded when a bomb exploded in Garma.
A bomb targeting a Shurqat police chief left no casualties.
No casualties were reported after a military vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Hawija.
Security forces in Ninewa dismissed threatening leaflets that was distributed in Tal Afar, where 120,000 people are expected to vote tomorrow.
Four suspected al-Qaeda leaders were arrested in Diyala province.
Eight suspects were detained in Jalawla.
Four suspects were detained and three explosives belts were seized in Aana.
Authorities in Hilla arrested a Sunni candidate on terrorism charges.
Six suspects were captured in Basra province.
A vehicle ban will be imposed on Numaniya. U.S. forces detained a lawyer working for the Sadrist movement but were forced to release him due to lack of evidence.
Fliers distributed in Salah ad-Din province warned voters to stay away from the polls.
