As voting ends in Iraq, authorities begin to count the cost. Despite tight security, insurgents launched a series of mortar attacks and suicide bombings at polling stations throughout the country. Up to 38 people are believed to have been killed.

Insurgents have made good on their threats of violence. So far, several rounds of suicide bombings have rocked Baghdad since the polls opened. The latest attack at a polling center killed at least six people.

Earlier, a suicide car bomb killed a policeman and another bomber on foot blew himself up among voters waiting in line to vote. Attacks have also broken out at several of the 5,000 plus polling centers in Baquoba, Basra, Mosul, and Samarra.

A website statement purportedly from insurgency leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group claimed responsibility Sunday for at least four attacks on polling centers across Iraq.

The group also said it was active in the cities of Mosul, Samarra and Baqouba as well as the Anbar province.

In an effort to reduce violence, Iraq is currently under a security lock down. Tens of thousands of armed police and soldiers have been deployed to keep watch across the country. Borders are sealed, airports closed, and only official vehicles are allowed on the streets.

This follows a bloody election eve when insurgents launched a rocket strike at the US embassy in the heavily fortified Green Zone.

Despite the fear of attacks, many Iraqis promised to brave the threats. But others were afraid that telltale blue voting ink staining their fingers would make them targets for militants who have vowed to kill anyone who dares to vote. Nevertheless, US backed Iraqi leaders have called on their countrymen to use their vote as a show of defiance to the insurgents.