1/6An Iraqi walks past a provincial elections campaign poster in Baghdad, April 18, 2013. Iraq will hold its provincial elections on Saturday. The poster reads, "take care of Iraq."
On April 20, 2013, Iraqi authorities will press on with plans to hold Iraq's first national vote since U.S. troops left in 2011. More than 8,000 candidates are competing for about 400 seats in the councils.
2/6A policeman speaks on his walkie talkie at a polling centre in Baghdad April 19, 2013. The Iraqi government has tightened its security measures as the country prepares to provincial elections.
On April 20, 2013, Iraqi authorities will press on with plans to hold Iraq's first national vote since U.S. troops left in 2011. More than 8,000 candidates are competing for about 400 seats in the councils.
3/6An employee of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) stands beside stacks of polling station kits during preparations for the provincial elections, in Baghdad April 19, 2013.
On April 20, 2013, Iraqi authorities will press on with plans to hold Iraq's first national vote since U.S. troops left in 2011. More than 8,000 candidates are competing for about 400 seats in the councils.
4/6Policemen stand guard at a polling centre in Baghdad April 19, 2013.
On April 20, 2013, Iraqi authorities will press on with plans to hold Iraq's first national vote since U.S. troops left in 2011. More than 8,000 candidates are competing for about 400 seats in the councils.
5/6An Iraqi walks past a provincial elections campaign billboard in Baghdad, April 18, 2013. The billboard reads, "coalition of state of law, determination and construction."
On April 20, 2013, Iraqi authorities will press on with plans to hold Iraq's first national vote since U.S. troops left in 2011. More than 8,000 candidates are competing for about 400 seats in the councils.
6/6Iraqi Army soldiers patrol in Baghdad's Adhamiya district, Iraq, April 18, 2013.
On April 20, 2013, Iraqi authorities will press on with plans to hold Iraq's first national vote since U.S. troops left in 2011. More than 8,000 candidates are competing for about 400 seats in the councils.
