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Dozens of mortar rounds thudded across Baghdad on Sunday morning and at least 12 people were killed as Iraqis went to the polls.

Insurgents had vowed to disrupt the elections, which they see as validating the Shiite-led government and the U.S. presence, with violence in order to increase uncertainty over a looming U.S. troop drawdown.

As the polls opened at 7 a.m., bombs began exploding and mortar rounds landing across the city.

The attacks were aimed at unnerving the city's residents to keep them from participating in the second election for a full term of parliament since the U.S.-led invasion seven years ago. It is pertinent to mention here that about 6,200 candidates are competing for 325 parliament seats.