Registration is under way for Iraqi exiles who want to vote in the January 30 election for the country's interim National Assembly.
An ethnic Kurdish woman now living in Australia become the first Iraqi exile to register today (Monday).
In the United States, thousands of Iraqis are expected to register in five cities ( -- Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville, Chicago and Washington).
Voter registration also began today in 12 other countries, including Jordan and Britain.
The (seven-day) registration period ends next Sunday (January 23). Iraqis living abroad can cast their ballots beginning January 28 (for a three-day period ending on the same day polls close in their homeland).
Organizers estimate about 4 million Iraqi expatriates are eligible to vote.