Polls have opened in Iraq amid heightened security as the country holds its first national election since US forces withdrew in 2011.
Voters have a choice of 9,012 candidates but the election is being seen as a referendum on incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki who is seeking re-election for a third term.
As residents in the northern Iraqi town of Dibs cast their votes, a bomb exploded near a polling station, killed two women.
Elsewhere, a polling station had to be evacuated after militants seized the building and set off explosives.
Mr Maliki has called on Iraqis "to send a slap to the face of terrorism" As Mr Maliki cast his vote at a hotel next to the heavily fortified Green Zone he urged Iraqis to defy the threat of terrorist attacks.
"I call upon the Iraqi people to head in large numbers to the ballot boxes to send a message of deterrence and a slap to the face of terrorism," he said.
He has portrayed himself as defender against the Sunni, al Qaeda-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) who have been vocal about their desire for him to be replaced.
"Is ISIL and al Qaeda capable of reaching the target for (which) they were established... bringing down Baghdad and the other provinces and destroying the holy shrines? I say no," said Mr Maliki.
"Our victory is confirmed but we are still talking about how big this victory will be," he added.
Voters have a choice of 9,012 candidates Iraq's Sunni leaders have painted him as an authoritarian ruler intent on destroying their community.
Political analysts say that although Maliki's State of Law alliance is expected to win the most seats, no party is likely to win a majority, which could mean it could take up to a year to form a new government.
Polling is taking place amid a vehicle curfew in force on the streets of Baghdad following suicide attacks on Monday which killed around 50 people across the country.
Some bombers had disguised themselves in police and army uniforms before launching the attacks.
Iraqi forces have been locked in a four-month battle for Ramadi and Fallujah in the country's western province of Anbar.
The war has displaced an estimated 420,000 people and officials say elections can only be held in 70% of the country's Anbar province, not counting Fallujah.
Polls close at 6pm local time.
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