Iraq wrapped up its national elections on Tuesday with voters casting their ballots in a closely watched poll that will shape the country’s future amid growing public disillusionment with the political elite.
The elections defied expectations with a voter turnout of 55 per cent, exceeding the 41 per cent recorded in the last elections in 2021, according to the country’s Independent High Electoral Commission.
About 12 million people out of 21.4 million registered voters chose from 7,744 candidates for the 329-seat parliament, with the majority of them affiliated to sectarian and ethnic political parties or coalitions. At least 25 per cent of the seats – 83 – will go to women, while nine are held for religious minorities.
The turnout in the main polling on Tuesday was 54 per cent, the commission announced. Combined with the turnout from early voting by security personnel and displaced people on Sunday, the overall turnout "exceeds" 55 per cent, it added.
Iraq’s sixth election for a full-term parliament since the downfall of former dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003 will set its course during a delicate period for the wider Middle East.
President Abdul Latif Rashid said in a televised speech aired on the eve of the election that "today, we stand on the threshold of a new and crucial phase in our journey towards peace, stability and development in our homeland".
Mr Rashid urged Iraqis to vote, saying broad participation is the key to reform, stability and the protection of the country's democracy from authoritarianism. “Active and broad participation in the election is our only path to correct past mistakes, address shortcomings, and strengthen our political system, preventing any return to dictatorship or monopolisation of power,” he said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani hailed the elections as “a historic and important day in Iraq’s history” after casting his ballot in Baghdad.
“These elections, taking place on their constitutional date, underscore the principle of peaceful transfer of power under Iraq’s new political system,” he told reporters. He added that his government has fulfilled one of its commitments by preparing the “requirements and necessities” for the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), political parties and candidates to hold “safe, fair, stable elections that give the citizens the space to make their choices”.
His main rival, former prime minister Nouri Al Maliki, also called on Iraqis to actively participate “to send a message to those who bet on the failure of the elections and the lack of seriousness of the Iraqi people”.
Iraq's security forces have been sent to polling sites and main streets. Iraqi authorities declared Tuesday a national holiday to ensure the process goes smoothly.
Khadija Ahmed, 52, was among those who arrived early to vote in her Al Jamiya neighbourhood of western Baghdad. "Iraq needs us as much as we need it,” Ms Ahmed told The National. “We must come and choose those who we believe in and see as the best, who will serve us instead of sitting idle and just blaming."
But Tawfiq Khalid, 31, expressed his displeasure when he passed one of the polling stations in eastern Baghdad. “It’s just another sham,” he told The National.
“You vote for X and Y will lead,” he added, referring to the process of forming a government after the elections, which depends on horse-trading and agreements between the major political blocs. “When we feel that there will be a real change in faces, in the way of running the government and in the way in dealing with our woes, we will definitely cast our votes."
The UN's envoy to Iraq, Mohammed Al Hassan, praised Iraqi authorities for conducting a successful electoral process. Speaking at a press conference, Mr Al Hassan said "today is a democratic celebration for all Iraqis, allowing citizens to freely choose their representatives in a process that embodies their will and commitment to democracy".
The official said his UN agency had provided support to the Iraqi state in conducting fair and transparent elections.
“We at the United Nations are very satisfied with the electoral process currently under way, and we are confident that all political parties will maintain a calm atmosphere and respect Iraqi citizens and their will.
“The Iraqi people deserve appreciation and respect for the awareness and responsibility they have shown today and in the days leading up to it, which reflects their political maturity," he added.
The vote follows calls to boycott the polls, mainly from influential leader of the Sadrist Movement, Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr. His comments sparked concerns among Iraqi officials that there would be a low turnout, with the country's political process struggling to win public confidence.
Mr Al Sadr, who withdrew from the political process in 2021 after he failed to form a majority government following an election, has said the political elite and government have failed to rein in Iran-backed militias, to extract Iran’s influence, to fight corruption or to introduce reforms.
Turnout was sparse in the early hours of Tuesday, said Emad Jamil, a spokesman for the electoral commission, but he added that no major violations had been reported.
The turnout was “high in the outskirts of the cities and rural areas while in other areas is weak”, Mr Jamil said at a polling station.
Neran Al Zahawi, a candidate of the Alternative Alliance, said she considered the turnout to be good and was hopeful about the election's outcome.
"I have always said that I will fight until November 11 and will leave the rest up to the public to decide," Ms Al Zahawi told The National. Whatever the outcome, I know that I have given it my all."
Despite the process largely running smoothly, clashes erupted between supporters of two political parties in the ethnically-mixed province of Kirkuk, north of Baghdad, shortly before dawn on Tuesday, the Interior Ministry said.
Two policemen were killed and two civilians were injured, the ministry said. Fourteen people were arrested.
On Monday night, Salih Mohammed Al Iraqi, an aide to Shiite cleric Mr Al Sadr, urged supporters “not leave your homes as much as you can, except in extreme necessity”.
However, he ordered them “to be prepared for any directives, should they be given". He added: “Be careful of hindering the ‘democratic process’ even if it’s flawed."
In July, former prime minister Haider Al Abadi's Victory Coalition said it would not field any candidates in the election, citing concerns over political spending, the use of state resources to influence voters and a lack of legal safeguards against fraud.
Many ordinary Iraqis are staying away from polling booths, citing disappointment with the political elite in place since 2003, frustration over poor quality of life and profound scepticism of the electoral process.
This election is being contested by, among others, Mr Al Sudani, who leads the Reconstruction and Development Coalition; Mr Al Maliki’s State of Law; Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation; and cleric Ammar Al Hakim’s National State Force Alliance. Mr Al Sudani is vying for a second term in office.
Iran-backed armed factions are also seeking political clout after coming under unprecedented pressure since the start of the war on Gaza and the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June. They are either standing in the election alone or within coalitions.
Sunnis are divided into three major blocs: Takadum Coalition, led by former parliament speaker Mohammed Al Halbousi; Siyada Coalition, led by Sunni tycoon Khamis Al Khanjar; and Azm Alliance, led by Sunni politician Muthana Al Samarraie.
The two main Kurdish parties – the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan – continue to be the main forces and are followed by the opposition group New Generation Movement, as well as other parties.
