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Low voter turnout expected in Iraq's parliamentary elections amid deeping political divisions
Observers predict turnout could drop below 35 per cent, likely allowing established parties to maintain dominance despite public frustration.
18.09.2024
By Dana Taib Menmy
Source:https://www.newarab.com/news/iraqs-parliamentary-elections-clouded-fears-low-turnout
As the 11 November parliamentary elections gradually approaches, Iraq faces a deepening division between voters considering a boycott and those who plan to participate. This division reflects scepticism about the election's potential to bring change.
The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced that, of Iraq's estimated total population of over 48 million people, more than 21.4 million have received biometric voting cards and are eligible to vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections. This means that nearly 45 per cent of the population is eligible to vote.
Interviews reveal widespread doubt and intent to boycott due to scepticism that voting will bring meaningful change. The exclusion of Iraqis abroad adds to concerns about legitimacy and voter turnout.
Some voters hope that participating may help improve the country's situation. "I would not participate in the vote and did not even go to renew my voting card," a young Kurdish grocery man in Sulaimaniyah city told The New Arab, requesting anonymity. He stated that elections have not brought positive changes in Iraq, and that "the same ruling faces will win."
Another young Kurdish man, a medical graduate working in a mobile store, told TNA that he plans to vote and hopes the next government will create jobs for him and many other unemployed people.
IHEC has announced that official campaigning will commence on 10 October and has warned candidates not to campaign prematurely or exacerbate ethnic tensions.
The main contest between the Shiites is between the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, running for a second term, and a coalition of other parties headed by former PM Nouri Al-Maliki.
Al-Sudani has formed a new political alliance with Faleh al-Fayyad, who leads the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), ahead of the elections. This development has sparked debate and concerns among some regarding the security figures participating in politics.
The 'Reconstruction and Development Alliance' includes the Al-Furatain Movement (al-Sudani), the National Contract Party (Fayyad), Bilad Sumer (Ahmed al-Asadi), the National Coalition (Iyad Allawi), 'Innovation of Karbala,' and the Generations bloc.
Some critics have raised concerns about Fayyad's participation because he leads the PMF, a state-affiliated paramilitary group. Iraqi electoral law prohibits members of the armed forces and security agencies from engaging in political activity or candidacy unless they resign and wait for a specified period. Opposition groups state that this alliance may blur the distinction between military and civilian roles.
Meanwhile, in the Kurdistan Region, arrests and sentencing of opposition leaders continue before the elections. To date, three opposition leaders have been arrested in Sulaimaniyah: Lahur Sheikh Jangi, head of the People's Front party; Shaswar Abdulwahid, head of the main opposition party, the New Generation Movement; and Aram Qadr, head of the National Coalition.
Muqtada al-Sadr, a prominent Iraqi cleric and head of the National Shia Movement, has urged his supporters to boycott the elections.
Sadr's political actions have been significant in recent elections. In the early elections held on 10 October 2021, Sadr's bloc won 73 seats. He pledged to establish a "national majority" government in collaboration with several Sunni and Kurdish blocs, signalling disagreements with other Shia factions aligned with Iran. However, after being unable to fulfil this goal, Sadr instructed lawmakers from his bloc to resign, which they did on 12 June 2022. This resulted in clashes in Baghdad between groups loyal to Sadr and Iran-aligned factions.
Sadr's call for a boycott is widely seen as a key factor in suppressing voter turnout.
The circulation of fabricated statements attributed to Iraq's supreme Shia cleric, Ali al-Sistani, encouraging election participation, has fuelled debate. His office has denied issuing any such statement, reflecting concerns over low voter turnout.
Observers suggest the repeated false statements reflect anxiety among political groups about low turnout and attempts by established parties to leverage clerical authority to increase participation.
Al-Sistani's earlier election endorsements shaped high participation, notably in 2005. By contrast, since 2010, his office has adopted a neutral stance, reinforcing the argument that current divisions stem from a decrease in religious authority involvement.
Observers predict turnout could drop below 35 per cent, likely allowing established parties to maintain dominance despite public frustration. The government is striving to reassure voters about the safety and fairness of the electoral process, combating widespread mistrust and low confidence.
The 2021 parliamentary elections marked a record-low turnout of 41 per cent, signalling a continuing crisis in voter confidence. Observers suspect the true turnout may have been even lower, deepening concerns that the legitimacy of Iraq's electoral process is eroding despite efforts to encourage participation.
Observers predict turnout could drop below 35 per cent, likely allowing established parties to maintain dominance despite public frustration.
18.09.2024
By Dana Taib Menmy
Source:https://www.newarab.com/news/iraqs-
As the 11 November parliamentary elections gradually approaches, Iraq faces a deepening division between voters considering a boycott and those who plan to participate. This division reflects scepticism about the election's potential to bring change.
The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced that, of Iraq's estimated total population of over 48 million people, more than 21.4 million have received biometric voting cards and are eligible to vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections. This means that nearly 45 per cent of the population is eligible to vote.
Interviews reveal widespread doubt and intent to boycott due to scepticism that voting will bring meaningful change. The exclusion of Iraqis abroad adds to concerns about legitimacy and voter turnout.
Some voters hope that participating may help improve the country's situation. "I would not participate in the vote and did not even go to renew my voting card," a young Kurdish grocery man in Sulaimaniyah city told The New Arab, requesting anonymity. He stated that elections have not brought positive changes in Iraq, and that "the same ruling faces will win."
Another young Kurdish man, a medical graduate working in a mobile store, told TNA that he plans to vote and hopes the next government will create jobs for him and many other unemployed people.
IHEC has announced that official campaigning will commence on 10 October and has warned candidates not to campaign prematurely or exacerbate ethnic tensions.
The main contest between the Shiites is between the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-
Al-
Some critics have raised concerns about Fayyad's participation because he leads the PMF, a state-
Meanwhile, in the Kurdistan Region, arrests and sentencing of opposition leaders continue before the elections. To date, three opposition leaders have been arrested in Sulaimaniyah: Lahur Sheikh Jangi, head of the People's Front party; Shaswar Abdulwahid, head of the main opposition party, the New Generation Movement; and Aram Qadr, head of the National Coalition.
Muqtada al-
Sadr's political actions have been significant in recent elections. In the early elections held on 10 October 2021, Sadr's bloc won 73 seats. He pledged to establish a "national majority" government in collaboration with several Sunni and Kurdish blocs, signalling disagreements with other Shia factions aligned with Iran. However, after being unable to fulfil this goal, Sadr instructed lawmakers from his bloc to resign, which they did on 12 June 2022. This resulted in clashes in Baghdad between groups loyal to Sadr and Iran-
Sadr's call for a boycott is widely seen as a key factor in suppressing voter turnout.
The circulation of fabricated statements attributed to Iraq's supreme Shia cleric, Ali al-
Observers suggest the repeated false statements reflect anxiety among political groups about low turnout and attempts by established parties to leverage clerical authority to increase participation.
Al-
Observers predict turnout could drop below 35 per cent, likely allowing established parties to maintain dominance despite public frustration. The government is striving to reassure voters about the safety and fairness of the electoral process, combating widespread mistrust and low confidence.
The 2021 parliamentary elections marked a record-