BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Millions of Iraqis cast ballots Sunday in the nation's first free election in half a century -- a vote hailed by officials as a success despite sporadic violence that killed more than two dozen people.
"This is the greatest day in the history of this country," Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie told CNN.
U.S. State Department spokesman Noel Clay said 5,171 polling centers -- 98.8 percent of the 5,232 that were expected to open -- actually did so.
Vote counting started in polling centers and is expected to continue into Monday, when the International Election Commission of Iraq is planning to take all ballots to its headquarters in Baghad for recounting.
The IECI has promised to announce official results within 10 days.
Clay said the elections "were very transparent" and that representatives of nongovernmental organizations, political organizations and parties observed the process.
Insurgents had vowed to wash the streets with "voters' blood," and more than a dozen attacks killed at least 28 people and wounded 71 others.
But authorities said extensive security measures prevented more widespread car bombings and other attacks that many had feared would mar the elections.
"The streets of Baghdad were not filled with blood as the threats of terrorist groups had mentioned," election official Faryid Ayar said. "[Terrorists] directed a message to us: the message of killing. And we directed to them the message of elections and freedom and democracy."
After the voting, President Bush said the balloting was a "resounding success" and praised Iraqis who "have taken rightful control of their country's destiny." (Bush transcript)
Prime Minister Tony Blair urged Britain to "embrace the bright future of Iraq's new democracy" after the elections, while expressing condolences to the families of British troops killed in a plane crash north of Baghdad. (Full story)
