Suicide bombers in Iraq have launched a series of assaults as the country heads to the polls for parliamentary elections.

A string of deadly blasts shattered an early round of voting on Thursday, as hundreds of thousands of soldiers and police officers cast their votes.

The attacks served as a grim reminder that the security situation remains precarious for the millions of Iraqis getting ready to cast their ballots on Sunday.

Sunday's poll is seen as a security test for Iraq as the US prepares to reduce its military presence in the coming months.

Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught reports from Baghdad.