The vote was to elect a 275-member National Assembly andlawmakers in 18 provincial legislatures. Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, saidit was encouraged by Sunday's turnout. "Their active participation despite the very difficultsituation reflects a commendable determination to decidetheir own destiny ... and sovereignty in establishing ademocratic Iraq," a Foreign Ministry statement said. In neighboring Malaysia, Prime Minister Abdullah AhmadBadawi, who chairs the 57-nation Organization of theIslamic Conference, said he was "very sad" about a seriesof attacks that accompanied Sunday's voting. At least 44people died in suicide and mortar attacks on pollingstations, including nine suicide bombers. "At the time the election is being held, people are stilldying," Abdullah told reporters. "There doesn't seem tobe any real way of stopping it." However, Abdullah expressed hope that the poll resultswould be "credible enough to enable the government todraft a new constitution for Iraq." Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was elected lastOctober, said he was encouraged by reports of ahigher-than-expected turnout, despite the violence. "I am happy for the people of Iraq and hope that today'selections will be another important step on the path ofachieving stability, democracy and prosperity for our Iraqibrothers and sisters," Karzai said in an e-mailedstatement. "The people have refused to let the threats of terroristsdeprive them of their right to vote," Austrian ForeignMinister Ursula Plassnik said. "This is a time of courageand an absolute will for democracy and peace."--spa 1329 Local Time 1029 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/235773