In the referendum for the independence of Kurdistan region of Iraq, the people of three regions have voted.

Voting also occurred in Iraq's government and Kurdish people who claim on the disputed area. Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Awadi has condemned the referendum as 'unconstitutional'.

Some neighboring countries of Iraq have also criticized the referendum.

Kurdish leaders say that they expect that the referendum will result in favor of 'yes' and this will give them the mandate for long talks for separation.

Kurd is the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East, but they have never been able to achieve a permanent nation.

Kurds share between 15 to 20 percent of Iraq's total population. Before attaining autonomy in 1991, they had to face repression for decades.

In areas controlled by the Kurds, on Monday, voting began for about 52 lakh Kurds and non-Kurdish people of more than 18 years of age. According to Kurdistan's Rudo News Agency, 76 percent of the people had voted about an hour before voting was closed.

A person in line for voting in Irbil said to the news agency Reuters, "We have been waiting for this day for 100 years. With the help of God, we want a state. Today is the day of celebration for all the Kurds."

Although it is not expected that all the Kurds voted in favor of 'yes'.

The Change Movement (Goran) and Kurdistan Islamic Group Parties said that they support independence, but they have objection at the time of organizing a referendum.

Due to economic and political risks of isolation, trader Shaswar Abdul Wahid Qadir launched the 'Nofornow' campaign.

In the disputed city of Kirkuk, local Arab and Ottoman communities announced a boycott. Curfew was imposed in non-Kurdish zones in the fear of unrest after Monday night's polling ended.

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Awadi had warned on Sunday that the referendum 'will jeopardize the peace of Iraq and the co-existence of the people of Iraq and this is a threat to the region.'

They said that they will take steps to safeguard the unity of the country and all Iraqis.

Awadi government has said that the Kurdistan area's international airports and border posts crossing the border should be under their control. Awadi Government has asked all countries to contact them only on the issues of oil and border.

Neighbors such as Turkey and Iran also strongly objected to referendum. They fear that this may create a sense of separation between the Kurdish minorities of their country.

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