Iraq’s voter turnout proved to be higher than expectations in Sunday’s election, as millions cast their votes amid threats and attacks by insurgents.

At Iowa State, the most common reaction to the results of the long-anticipated election day was cautious optimism.

Sana Akili, lecturer of marketing, has relatives in Maryland who participated in Sunday’s election.

“I guess it was a grand moment for a lot of people,” Akili said. “But that remains to be seen … I think the question is, ‘What’s going to unfold?'”

It could up to 10 days before Iraqi officials can determine winners and final voting totals, according to The Associated Press.

Robert Baum, associate professor of religious studies, said the real challenge is to bring in the Sunnis and make them feel that they’re a part of this new government.

He said the voter turnout was massive in Shiite- and Kurdish-dominated areas, but the central area of Iraq saw just the opposite, which doesn’t bode well. The center of Iraq sees the most resistance because of the Sunni Muslims, who are a minority in Iraq, but enjoyed a privileged position under Saddam Hussein. Many Sunnis boycotted the election, citing worries over fairness.

“This is the beginning of a major opportunity if they produce what they’re supposed to produce,” Baum said.

He said the election might help in the war on terror, but it may only prove to be a temporary boost if it does not live up to its promise.

The true turnout of the election will depend on the course of action taken in Iraq, said Basil Mahayni, senior in political science and member of Time for Peace, an organization that protested the war in Iraq.

“It seems like there’s a big emphasis that once elections are made, democracy is right around the corner,” Mahayni said. “But democracy is much greater than just an election. You need to have some sort of structure for everything to function properly.”

Many cities in Iraq remain unstable and lack infrastructure. The city of Fallujah, for example, needs repairs to basic services like sewage and power distribution lines and water treatment facilities.

Mahayni said it is a long process that involves a lot of work, and violence is the biggest issue right now.

More than two dozen Iraqis were killed and more than 70 were wounded during the elections. Although security forces greatly helped minimize attacks during the elections, it does not mean insurgents will not regroup and continue to threaten Iraqi citizens.

“The world is more dangerous now than it was prior to the Iraq war,” Mahayni said. “I believe the attacks are still going to continue just because some sort of election has taken place.”

The success of the government is the greatest threat to insurgents, Baum said. He said the election could serve as an inspiration to other Middle Eastern countries.

“If Iraq’s experiment is successful, then I think it could have a major impact on the entire Middle East and on the entire Muslim world,” Baum said.