The group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the most wanted man in Iraq, on Sunday claimed responsibility for suicide attacks on several polling stations in
Iraq.

"Lions from the martyrs' brigade of the al-Qaida Organization for Holy War in Iraq attacked several polling stations in Baghdad and elsewhere," said a statement posted on an Islamic website.

Several suicide bombing attacks occurred in the capital and other parts of the country, causing some casualties.

The Iraqi parliamentary election began at 7:00 a.m. (0400 GMT) on Sunday to usher in a new course of the oil-rich but violence-shattered country.

The 275-seat National Assembly will be formed by proportional representation of votes with a one-year mandate. It will choose a transitional government and draft a permanent onstitution put for a national referendum by Oct. 15.

A new government and parliament will then be elected through another ballot by the end of this year under the guidance of the constitution.