Iraq’s Grand Ayatollah Al Sistani urges voters to turn out for key election

Country set to head to the polls for early elections on October 10

A portrait of Iraq's Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani on a street. Photo: AFP

Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani on Wednesday called on the public to head to the polls on October 10 and vote for a new government.

The country will hold early elections – a key demand of the protesters who have taken to the streets since October 2019 – which will allow the politician who secures the most support from parliamentary blocs to form a government.

“The supreme religious authority encourages everyone to participate consciously and responsibly in the coming elections,” said Mr Al Sistani’s office.

“Although it is not without some shortcomings, it remains the best way to achieve a peaceful future and avoids the risk of falling into chaos and political obstruction,” it said.

Mr Al Sistani does not make public appearances and typically issues a weekly Friday sermon through a representative. He is Iraq’s most influential Shiite cleric and has given significant support to the country’s protest movement.

Iraqi President Barham Salih supported Mr Al Sistani’s statement, saying the elections were critical for the country's future.

“There is need for broad participation to fix the flaws in governance and move towards the desired reform,” said Mr Salih.

A banner for a candidate is seen in Iraq's second city of Mosul. Iraq's elections will go ahead as planned on October 10, officials say. AFP

A woman holds a flag of the Huquq electoral list during a campaign rally in Baghdad. AFP

A banner for a candidate installed on a rooftop in Mosul. AFP

Abu Ali Al Askari, right, spokesman of Iraqi Kataeb Hezbollah, during a campaign rally in Baghdad. AFP

Experts are predicting a muted turnout in the October vote because of distrust in the country’s electoral system. AFP

Candidates of the Huquq electoral list during a campaign rally in Baghdad. AFP

A woman holds a flag of the Huquq electoral list during a campaign rally in Baghdad. AFP

Workers prepare to transport campaign banners in Iraq's southern port city of Basra, ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. AFP

Workers prepare campaign banners in Iraq's southern port city of Basra ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. AFP

A worker prepares a campaign poster in Iraq's southern port city of Basra on September 12, 2021, ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP)

A worker walks by a campaign banner at a workshop in Iraq's southern port city of Basra on, ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. AFP

Workers prepare to transport campaign banners in Iraq's southern port city of Basra, ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. AFP

Iraqis pass by-election campaign posters for Iraqi candidates at a street in Fallujah city, 60 kilometres west of Baghdad, Iraq. The Special Representative for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, Jeanine Antoinette Hennis-Plasschaert, announced on 07 September 2021, that a group of 130 international experts and around 600 supporting staff will be monitoring Iraq’s upcoming elections. EPA

The Special Representative for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, Jeanine Antoinette Hennis-Plasschaert, speaks during a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq. A group of 130 international experts and around 600 supporting staff will be monitoring Iraq’s upcoming elections, Plasschaert said during the press conference. EPA

Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi also backed Mr Al Sistani's words and said his government would protect the electoral process.

"We call on candidates to abide by the law and regulations, and voters to participate broadly and choose well," he said.

The statement by Mr Al Sistani could increase the turnout, which is crucial in this election, Harith Hasan, a Senior Fellow-Carnegie Middle East Centre said on Twitter.

“The statement said the election should be held without the impact of illegal arms or foreign intervention,” Mr Hasan said.

Mr Al Kadhimi pledged to hold early elections next June when he assumed office in May.

The vote was originally scheduled to take place in May, 2022.