Baghdad , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Violent attacks on election day did n't stop large numbers of Iraqis from successfully casting their votes in key parliamentary elections Sunday . `` Yes , we were scared after we heard these bombings , but we just had to come , '' said a woman who identified herself only as Ghisoun . Her two children were at her side . `` It 's an opportunity we ca n't miss -- not for us , but for our children , '' she said . Polls in Iraq to elect a 325-member parliament closed Sunday evening , capping an electoral process in which militants intent on disrupting the vote carried out dozens of attacks that killed 38 people . Despite the risks , voter turnout could reach 55 percent , a senior U.S. official told CNN . Another voter , Ali Abdul Hassan , also risked the uncertainty of voting Sunday with his 2-month-old infant . `` I want my baby to start voting early , '' he said . The general feeling expressed by voters on election day was a longing for change and for a government that will be able to provide basic things such as water , electricity , jobs and security . A woman in line to vote in Baghdad said her vote was a way of fighting back against acts of terrorism in Iraq . Preliminary results are expected by Wednesday , the United Nations said . Results will start emerging for each province as soon as votes are tallied from 30 percent of polling centers in that province . About 60 security incidents were reported throughout the country Sunday , the senior U.S. official said . These included fatal mortar and rocket attacks in various Baghdad neighborhoods . Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said those reports of mortar attacks in Baghdad had not yet been confirmed . According to Gates , Gen. Ray Odierno , the top U.S. commander in Iraq , `` had expected a significant number of high-profile attacks , both suicide vests and truck and car bombs , but the security situation , the efforts of the Iraqi Security Forces are such that al Qaeda in Iraq was forced to change their tactics . '' Speaking at the White House , President Obama also downplayed Sunday 's violence . Some violence was expected , Obama said , but `` overall , the level of security , and the prevention of destabilizing attacks , speaks to the growing capability and professionalism of Iraqi security forces , which took the lead in providing protection at the polls . '' The success of the vote showed that `` the future of Iraq belongs to the people of Iraq , '' Obama said . The United States does not support particular candidates in Iraq , but does support Iraqis ' right to elect their representatives , he said . `` We know there will be very difficult days ahead in Iraq , '' Obama said . `` There will probably be more violence . But , like any sovereign , independent nation , Iraq must be free to chart its own course . '' Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised Iraq 's High Electoral Commission and security forces for running and securing the vote . `` I congratulate all the people of Iraq who participated in national elections today and over the past three days , '' she said in a statement . `` There is no better rebuke to the violent extremists who seek to derail Iraq 's progress . '' Counting was taking place at the polling stations at the end of voting , under the gaze of observers . Ballots will be counted twice to ensure accuracy , according to the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq . The number of ballots cast will be reconciled with the number of ballots issued to each polling station , and in case of a significant discrepancy , the station will be audited , the U.N. said . Authorities in Baghdad announced a curfew on the capital from 10 p.m. Sunday until 5 a.m. Monday . In a statement Sunday , Obama said : `` I have great respect for the millions of Iraqis who refused to be deterred by acts of violence , and who exercised their right to vote today . '' Referring to the day 's violence , he added : `` We mourn the tragic loss of life today , and honor the courage and resilience of the Iraqi people who once again defied threats to advance their democracy . '' It was Iraq 's fifth nationwide vote since 2003 , but only the second for a full four-year-term parliament . More than 30 mortar rounds hit the capital , with three landing inside the heavily fortified International Zone . The zone , informally known as the Green Zone , houses the U.S. Embassy and many Iraqi government buildings . One of the rockets landed in the Ur neighborhood in northeastern Baghdad , killing 12 people . The capital also experienced a number of deadly roadside bomb attacks . The last time the country had a national vote was in 2005 , when the Sunni Arab population boycotted the elections and the political process . A Shiite-led government emerged and the Sunnis , feeling disenfranchised , went on to form the main part of the insurgency . The U.N. mission in Iraq calls the elections an `` important milestone in Iraq 's democratic progress , '' serving to strengthen the country 's sovereignty and independence as the United States draws down its military presence there . Sunday 's elections were originally supposed to happen in January but were delayed because of political disagreements and a delay in passing the election law that paved the way for this vote . There are 18.9 million eligible voters , casting ballots for 325 seats in the Council of Representatives , Iraq 's parliament . The seats represent Iraq 's 18 provinces . The number of seats is increasing from the previous 275 . Seat allocation was based on 2005 population data from the Ministry of Trade and adjusted for a 2.8 percent annual growth across all governates . On Friday , voting began for Iraqis abroad in 16 countries -- including the United States , United Kingdom , Turkey , Iran , Canada and others in the Middle East and Europe . There are no exact figures on those eligible to cast ballots abroad . Estimates on turnout have ranged anywhere from 300,000 to 3 million . About 6,200 candidates from more than 80 political entities are vying for seats . At least a quarter of the positions -- 82 -- are guaranteed to go to women , and eight more have been allocated for minorities . They include five set aside for Christians and one each for the Shabak , Sabaeans -LRB- Mandaeans -RRB- , and Yazidis . A number of special measures were put in place for security reasons . Since Monday , there has been a ban on motorcycles and bicycles in Baghdad until further notice , and on Sunday a two-day ban on any vehicles in cities went into effect . Provincial borders were ordered sealed , preventing movements between provinces , from Saturday to Monday . CNN 's Arwa Damon , Jomana Karadsheh , Mohammed Tawfeeq and Zain Verjee contributed to this report .