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BAGHDAD (AP) – Iraq closed its airspace and land border crossings on Sunday as voters went to the polls to elect a parliament that many say will bring much-needed reforms after decades of conflict and mismanagement.
The vote was brought forward six months in response to a popular uprising in the capital Baghdad and the southern provinces in late 2019, when tens of thousands took to the streets to protest endemic corruption, poor services and rising unemployment. They were met with deadly force by security forces who fired live ammunition and tear gas. More than 600 people have been killed and thousands injured in just a few months.
Although authorities caved in and called for early elections, the death toll and brutal crackdown prompted many young activists and protesters who took part in the protests to later call for a boycott of the ballot box.
A spate of targeted kidnappings and assassinations that killed more than 35 people further deterred many from participating.
A total of 3,449 candidates are vying for 329 seats in the legislative elections, which will be the sixth held since the fall of Saddam Hussein after the United States invaded Iraq in 2003.
More than 250,000 security guards across the country have been tasked with protecting the ballot. Army, police and counterterrorism troops deployed and deployed outside polling stations, some of which were surrounded by barbed wire.
“Get out there and vote, and change your reality for the good of Iraq and your future,” Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said, after voting at a school in the heavily walled Green Zone of Baghdad, which is home to foreign embassies and government. desks.
“To those who hesitate, place your trust in God and go choose the ones you think are appropriate,” he added, reflecting concerns over low turnout. “This is our opportunity.”
The 2018 election saw only 44% of eligible voters vote, a record. The results have been widely disputed. We fear a similar or even lower participation this time.
Iraq’s highest Shiite dignitary and widely respected authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called for broad participation, saying voting remains the best way for Iraqis to participate in building their country’s future .
The election is the first since Saddam’s fall to take place without a curfew, reflecting the significant improvement in the security situation in the country following the defeat of the Islamic State group in 2017. Previous votes have been marred by fighting and deadly bombings that plagued the country for decades.
As a security measure, Iraq closed its airspace and deployed its air force from Saturday evening to early Monday morning.
In another first, Sunday’s elections are being held under a new electoral law that divides Iraq into smaller constituencies – another request from activists who took part in the 2019 protests – and allows for more independent candidates.
A UN Security Council resolution passed earlier this year authorized an expanded team to monitor the elections. There will be up to 600 international observers in place, including 150 from the United Nations.
Iraq is also introducing biometric cards for voters for the first time. To prevent abuse of electronic voter cards, they will be deactivated for 72 hours after each person has voted, in order to avoid double voting.
But despite all of these measures, allegations of voice-buying, intimidation and manipulation have persisted.
The head of the Iraqi electoral commission said the first election results would be announced within 24 hours.
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