Iraqi soldiers, prisoners and hospital patients have cast early ballots for parliamentary elections set to open to the general public on Thursday.
Officials have promised to implement tough security measures Thursday to guard against violence during the vote. They include closing Iraq's borders and restricting travel. Authorities are also expected to extend curfews across the country Tuesday.
Polling stations were due to open today in 15 countries, including the United States, for voters living outside Iraq.
Meanwhile, officials in Iraq reported seven people were killed in attacks Monday.
Separate roadside bomb attacks killed one American soldier and two other people in the Iraqi capital. And gunmen killed four Iraqis, including a police officer.
