Iraq sets June 6 date for 'free and fair' election

PM Mustafa Al Kadhimi says government must support electoral commission

Prime Minister of Iraq Mustafa Al Kadhimi has instructed the Electoral Commission to work towards a June 6 election date. AFP

Iraq will hold an early parliamentary elections on June 6 2021, the country's Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi announced on Wednesday.

Anti-government protesters, who staged months of mass demonstrations last year and were killed in their hundreds by security forces, demanded early elections and changes to the country’s voting process following accusations of fraud in the 2018 elections.

“We have set the June 6 as the date for elections and we insist on moving forward to make it a success,” Mr Al Kadhimi said, added that he had directed the country's electoral commission to start preparations for a fair and transparent ballot this week.

The prime minister said the electoral system is in need of the government’s support to ensure that all "obstacles” are removed and bureaucratic procedures are smoothly operated to ensure that the vote will become a “success”.

The 329-member chamber was last elected in May 2018. The vote is held every four years, but the protesters have been demanding early elections.

Iraq’s parliament last month passed the final version of a new electoral law despite objections from some political parties.

President Barham Salih then approved amendment to the country’s electoral laws.

The reforms came in response to demands from protesters who urged for the inclusion of independent candidates to win a seat in parliament.

“Reforming Iraq’s electoral system has been a national imperative to secure free and fair elections away from intimidation and fraud,” Mr Salih said at the time.

The new law changes each of the country’s 18 provinces into several electoral districts and prevents parties from running on unified lists, which has in the past helped them easily sweep all the seats in a specific province.

Instead, the seats would go to whoever gets the most votes in the electoral districts.

“This is a prerequisite to empowering new generation of political leaders to end Iraq’s unrelenting governance crisis, to assure peace and prosperity,” he said.

An Iraqi protester carries a placard reading in Arabic "Revolt" during a demonstration on the Sinak bridge in the capital Baghdad marking the first anniversary of a mass anti-government movement. AFP

People ride on an auto rickshaw as Iraqi demonstrators gather to mark the first anniversary of anti-government protests in Kerbala, Iraq. Reuters

Iraqi demonstrators gather on Al-Jumhuriya Bridge in the capital Baghdad to mark the first anniversary of a massive anti-government movement demanding the ouster of the entire ruling class accused of corruption. AFP

Iraqi demonstrators evacuate an injured protester from the scene of clashes with security forces on Al-Jumhouri Bridge in the capital Baghdad, following a demonstration to mark the first anniversary of a massive anti-government movement demanding the ouster of the entire ruling class accused of corruption. AFP

Iraqi demonstrators gather to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters

Iraqi protesters start an indefinite sit-in at al-Haboubi Square in the southern city of Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar province during the first anniversary of a mass anti-government movement. AFP

Iraqi demonstrators gather to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests in Baghdad. REUTERS

An Iraqi demonstrator displays an embroidery as protesters gather near the local administration building in the southern city of Basra, to mark the first anniversary of a massive anti-government movement demanding the ouster of the entire ruling class accused of corruption. AFP

Iraqi demonstrators gather to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests in Baghdad. REUTERS

Iraqi riot policemen block access to central Baghdad's Sinak bridge which links the capital's Green Zone with the rest of the city, as protesters gather in Tahrir Square. AFP

Iraqi demonstrators lift flags as they gather near the local administration building in the southern city of Basra. AFP

Iraqi protesters wave national flags as they take to the streets to mark the first anniversary of a massive anti-government movement demanding the ouster of the entire ruling class accused of corruption, in the southern city of Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar province. AFP

Iraqi demonstrators react as they gather to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters

A protester prays next to images of protest victims, as they take part in a demonstration in Tahrir Square in Baghdad. EPA

Iraqi riot policemen block access to central Baghdad's Sinak bridge which links the capital's Green Zone with the rest of the city, as protesters gather in Tahrir Square. AFP

Iraqi demonstrators shout slogans as they gather to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests in Najaf, Iraq. Reuters

Protesters take part in a demonstration in Baghdad. EPA

Iraqi demonstrators wave flags as they gather in Tahrir Square to mark the first anniversary of a massive anti-government movement demanding the ouster of the entire ruling class accused of corruption. AFP

A demonstrator holds an Iraqi flag as another gestures while they gather to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests in Baghdad. Reuters

Protesters take part in a demonstration in Baghdad. EPA

A masked Iraqi demonstrator sits atop of a concrete barrier as protesters gather in Tahrir Square. AFP

Iraqi demonstrators gather to mark the first anniversary of the anti-government protests in Baghdad. Reuters

Iraqi demonstrators wave flags as they gather in Tahrir Square in the centre of the capital Baghdad to mark the first anniversary of a massive anti-government movement demanding the ouster of the entire ruling class accused of corruption. AFP

Mr Salih said there is a vital need for free, fair, and transparent balloting that would restore the Iraqi citizens’ confidence in the legitimacy of the process.

The electoral commission said on Tuesday it is in the process of completing the voter registration procedure as well as ensuring that accreditation of candidates, political parties and alliances are recorded in the system.

This is done to ensure that the election will be held on time, the commission said in a statement.