Iraq has truly come a long way from its nightmarish days of dictatorship: Iraq wraps up election with no major violence.

BAGHDAD – Iraqis passed through security checkpoints and razor-wire cordons to vote Saturday in provincial elections that are considered a crucial test of the nation’s stability as U.S. officials consider the pace of troop withdrawals.

Polls opened shortly after dawn after a step-by-step security clampdown across the country, including traffic bans in central Baghdad and other major cities and closure of border crossings and airports. Voting ended 11 hours later with no reports of major violence, though voters at some polling stations complained that their names did not appear on lists. Balloting was extended for one hour to accommodate voters.

Officials said counting would begin Sunday with preliminary results are not expected before Tuesday.

UPDATE at 1/31/09 9:48:12 am:

There isn’t a single word about these historic elections on the White House website.