did n't have any confirmation on serious security incidents that might effect the total electoral process , '' al-Haidari said . President Obama congratulated the Iraqis on the elections . `` Millions of Iraqi citizens from every ethnic and religious group went peacefully to the polls across the country to choose new provincial councils , '' Obama said in a statement released by the White House . `` It is important that the councils get seated , select new governors and begin work on behalf of the Iraqi people who elected them . '' He said the United States `` is proud to have provided technical assistance , along with the United Nations and other international organizations , to Iraq 's Independent High Electoral Commission , which performed professionally under difficult circumstances . '' CNN 's Arwa Damon , who toured polling stations with UN observers , said she noticed an increased sense of awareness and optimism among voters , who felt that their participation would have an impact on their lives and country . Watch Iraqis head to polls '' Political analysts said this election could correct some of the political imbalances that resulted from the 2005 election .
BAGHDAD , Iraq -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Voting in Iraqi provincial elections ended peacefully Saturday evening , and the mood was festive in some places , unlike the violence , intimidation and apathy that marked the balloting in 2005 . An Iraqi casts his vote Saturday in Ramadi . Preliminary results are expected in a week . `` There is a new norm of politics . ... It is truly a proud moment , '' Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh told CNN . `` The distance that we have come is truly inspiring . '' Faraj al-Haidari , who chairs the Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq , and Staffan de Mistura , special U.N. representative for Iraq , issued statements saying the election went smoothly . `` Hundreds of thousands of IHEC staff worked dutifully according to procedures , '' said Mistura , who also said he was pleased at the number of women who turned out to vote . Preliminary results from the electoral commission are expected within five days , de Mistura said . Final numbers are due at the end of February . `` Some security incidents were reported during the day , but we