Iraqis 'Build a Future'

BAGHDAD, Dec. 15, 2005 — -- The normally busy streets of Baghdad today became the quieter footpaths of democracy. Iraqis walked to cast a ballot for the third time in less than a year. Many held the hand of a child and the hope of a more secure nation.

"I am sure my vote is like a stage on which to build a future," a young mother told ABC News after she dunked her finger in purple ink to certify her participation.

Access to the thousands of polling stations set up in schools and other buildings required security checks by Iraqi police and soldiers. At one site, there were no American troops. At another, they stayed across the street.

"It's comfortable," one U.S. Army sergeant told ABC News. "It seems like it's pretty calm out. They're out doing their thing. We're out doing our thing."

Insurgents were out too. Several mortars exploded in Baghdad throughout the day but none disrupted an election that drew millions of voters.

In Sunni areas, turnout appeared to be far greater than the last parliamentary election in January. At least one polling center in Fallujah ran out of ballots.

"This election is important because it will fix the roots of the Iraqi political process for the next four years," said the director of one polling station. "I feel extremely happy conducting this national duty and hopefully this process will bring all that is good to Iraq."

The novelty of voting seems to have worn off but not the excitement for what a vote in this fledgling democracy could mean.

"I came here in a hurry to be the first to cast his vote at this polling station," Abu Saif Al-Janabi said. "This is a great national election that will form a decent parliament and government to lead us for the next four years."