Baghdad, Oct 15, SPA -- Iraqis today voted on a new constitution that turns a new page for the country, AFP reported. Around 15.5 million Iraqis are registered to vote on the charter, which lays out a democratic framework for a new Iraq. The country's Kurdish President Jalal Talabani and Shiite Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari voted early inside Baghdad's heavily-protected Green Zone. "I think the majority (of all Iraqis) will vote yes," said Talabani, who has urged Sunni Arabs to choose politics over violence. "Sunni Arab brothers should understand that their aspirations will be achieved through political action and not violence and terrorist acts," Talabani told the private Asharqia television channel late Friday. "Today we are in transition, we are about to attain political stability built on a constitutional foundation," Jaafari said. Shortly after polls opened in Baghdad, dozens of men and women entered voting stations in separate lines. Squads of policemen checked identity papers and searched voters once about 200 meters (yards) away and a second time just outside the station. US soldiers performed a third perimeter check. The charter requires a simple majority to be approved, but would be rejected if two-thirds of the votes in at least three of Iraq's 18 provinces say "no." Results should be known within three days, chief electoral official Adil al-Lami said. "But if people have serious complaints, of course we will check to see if they are justified. That would delay a final declaration," he said. US attack helicopters patrolled sporadically in Baghdad, launching green and red flares, but the streets were almost deserted. Security measures for the vote include a four-day national holiday that began Thursday, an extended curfew, a ban on civilians carrying weapons and a ban on the use of personal vehicles. International borders have been closed to traffic except the transport of food, water and fuel, and Baghdad airport was shut down until Monday. "Everything has been going well so far, with very few incidents," top UN election official Carina Perelli told AFP. "The operation is running soothly."--MORE1504 Local Time 1204 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/296455