Violence looms over Iraqi election

A series of explosions killed 28 people and wounded more than 40 at a Shi'ite political organisation's rally in Iraq, April 25, 2014.

Violence has erupted throughout the country ahead of the national elections to be held on April 30.

Baghdad, Iraq

A man wounded after a car bomb attack.

The elections, a key test for the country's fledgling democracy, will take place against a backdrop of increasing violence and fighting in western Anbar province to expel al Qaeda linked groups.

Najaf, Iraq

Mourners grieve near the coffin of a fighter of the Shi'ite group Asaib Ahl al-Haq, who was killed in one of Friday's bomb attacks in Baghdad, April 26, 2014.

Najaf, Iraq

The ink-stained finger of an Iraqi soldier as he holds his rifle during early voting for parliamentary elections, April 28, 2014.

Baghdad, Iraq

Sheik Qais Khazaali, main leader of militant group Asaib Ahl Haq (League of the Righteous), speaks to his supporters, April 25, 2014.

Baghdad, Iraq

A man walks past election posters of Iraqi women candidates in Baghdad.

As Iraq's general election draws closer, both men and women are vying for seats in the country's parliament. But this year's election, the first one after the withdrawal of U.S troops in 2011, has seen an increase in the number of female candidates, April 24, 2014.

Baghdad, Iraq

Iraqi women candidates attend a debate forum in Baghdad. According to an Iraqi election official, women make up around 30 to 35 percent of the candidates in the April 30 election, April 19, 2014.

Amman, Jordan

Iraqis living in Jordan leave after they cast their ballot at a polling station in a government school in Amman, April 27, 2014.

Dohuk, Iraq

A traffic policewoman shows her ink-stained fingers after casting her ballot at a polling station, during early voting for the parliamentary election in the northern Iraqi province of Dohuk, April 28, 2014.

Najaf, Iraq

Members of the Shi'ite group Asaib Ahl al-Haq, carry coffins of fighters who were killed in Friday's bomb attacks in Baghdad, during a funeral in Najaf, April 26, 2014.

Baghdad, Iraq

Men evacuate an injured person after a car bomb attack at a Shi'ite political organisation's rally in Baghdad, April 25, 2014.

Najaf, Iraq

Mourners grieve near the coffin of a fighter of the Shi'ite group Asaib Ahl al-Haq, who was killed in one of Friday's bomb attacks in Baghdad, April 26, 2014.

Basra, Iraq

Mourners grieve near the coffin of Abdul Kareem Mohammed Jarrad Al-Dosari in Zubair, near Basra, April 26, 2014.

Gunmen shot dead Dosari, who was a candidate for the upcoming elections representing the secular al-Badeel party, and two of his bodyguards in Zubair on Saturday, according to police.

Amman, Jordan

Iraqis living in Jordan check their documents to cast their ballot at a polling station in a government school in Amman, April 27, 2014.

Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraq

Kurdish security forces wait to vote outside a polling station during early voting for the parliamentary election in Arbil, in Iraq's Kurdistan region, April 28, 2014.

Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraq

A member of Kurdish security forces casts her ballot inside a polling station during early voting for the parliamentary election in Arbil, in Iraq's Kurdistan region, April 28, 2014.