No bombings but few voters in Iraq

BAGHDAD — Iraq saw a record low turnout on Saturday in its first elections since the collapse of the Islamic State group, pointing to widespread dissatisfaction with the direction of the country under Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi and presaging a long period of deal-making as politicians squabble over posts in a new government.

There were no bombings at any polling stations — a first since the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003.

Al-Abadi called it a “historic day, spent peacefully by all Iraqis.”

Riyadh al-Badran, a member on Iraq’s national elections commission, said turnout was 44%. No election since 2003 saw turnout below 60%. More than 10 million Iraqis voted.

With no clear front-runner, it could take months for a new Parliament to form a government and name a prime minister seen as suitable to the country’s rival Shiite political factions, who have adopted diverging positions on Iran.

Results are expected within 48 hours according to the electoral commission.