Fear factor weighs heavily on Iraqi voters

The US military and Iraqi authorities admit that the fear and intimidation instilled by radical insurgents is as much a concern as their car bombs, rockets and bullets.

Voters have been threatened with death, to have their children kidnapped and their houses burned down, according to residents and military officials. And they know the threats will remain long past Sunday's vote.

Carlos Valenzuela, the UN representative on the Iraqi election commission, has described voting on election day as a courageous act by Iraqis. "This process is not risk free. People have to take collective chances," he said.

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaeda associate with a 25 million dollar US reward on his head, has claimed many of the attacks carried out in recent months and vowed that anyone who votes will be a target of his fighters.