"May God bless you. May God bless you," an old woman told the employees as she entered the polling center Sunday morning. "May God bless you and bless your efforts. May God protect you."
Abdul Zahra Rajihi, 50, a physician, said it didn't matter which slate of candidates he voted for -- only that he voted. "This is the new dawn of the new Iraq with all its people and sects," he said. "When we decided to come, we weren't hesitant because this is a chance and if the people hesitate, they will lose it and might not get it again."
_____More on Elections_____
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Photo Gallery: The end of Iraq's Election Day brought indications of strong turnout, but also reports of at least 30 people killed.
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Transcript: The Post's Jackie Spinner discussed the scene in Irbil, where elation at electing a new Kurdish parliament has Kurds partying in the streets.
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Rajihi's wife, Maha Hameed, 45, was optimistic for Iraq's future after Sunday's vote. "This is a great day and I am full of hope that these elections will succeed and all the Iraqis will be like one hand," she said. "When I go back home, I'll tell all my neighbors and friends to go out and decide their fate. We are very happy to see Iraq moving like this. We were sad for a long time and this is the first happiness we ever had."
As with Rajihi and his wife, voting for many was a family affair.
Arkan Mahmoud Jawad came to vote with his mother and younger brother. "This is the salvation for the Iraqis and it is a big challenge," he said. "I hate the terrorists and I was waiting for the day to fight them. Now, I am fighting them by my vote and this is the least thing I can do."
Harbi Timimi, 64, came with his daughter and granddaughter. "This is the first step in the right road of democracy to achieve justice and equality," he said.
Timimi's daughter, Nada Harbi, said, "We are happy to be here because this is the duty of all the people. Those who are killing the innocent people should take a big lesson from this event. We are here to tell them that is enough. The country has people that will defend it and it is not in need for them to protect it or to protect Islam."
Nada Harbi said her five-year-old daughter insisted on coming with her to the polling center. "She drew an Iraqi flag yesterday and she told me that she is going to put it in the box with my ballot," she said. "She did that by herself."
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Special correspondent Khalid Saffar in Baghdad: The Khadra neighborhood in the western section of the capital has consistently been a tough area for the U.S. troops and Iraqi security forces. Many residents maintain family and tribal ties to their brethren in the restive western cities of Ramadi and Fallujah, and some were involved with Saddam Hussein's deposed government.
Few election signs were seen in this neighborhood when the campaign started. And early on election day, it appeared that hardly anyone would vote. The streets were deserted.
But as the day progressed some people ventured out to the polling station. More followed and more followed them.
By the afternoon, the Salahudeen school building in section 633 of Khadra was teeming with voters.
Najia Abbas, 46, came with her husband to cast their votes.
"I came here to exercise my right," she said. "We are originally from Fallujah and were displaced by the fighting there, but I want to vote for Ayad Allawi. Although he devastated our homes, we have trust in him nevertheless."
