In Iraq, security forces have stepped up their presence on streets throughout the country. In the face of raging insurgency and unrelenting violence, officials are going all out to secure a high turnout.

Major constituencies have been bombed, and candidates and electoral officials threatened and even killed. Intimidation is turning Iraq's polls into a new kind of secret ballot.

Fear is likely to keep many Iraqis away from the polls. And some say they don't know who to vote for, as most candidates have kept their identities hidden.

Yet officials are still hoping for a majority turnout to elect a 275-seat national assembly and 18 provincial assemblies.

Security measures include sealing Iraq's borders, closing airports, imposing curfews and enforcing traffic bans on election day. Iraqis in dangerous areas will be allowed to register and vote on the same day.

US troops will be at their highest numbers over the election. Around 150 thousand are expected to form an outer line of defense, while Iraqi security forces guard polling stations.