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Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Qadimi is going to vote. PHOTO: Reuters
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Iraq closed its land and air backpacks today as voters head to the polls to run in parliamentary elections, which many hope will lead to much-needed reforms after decades of conflict and mismanagement, the Associated Press reported.
Elections were accelerated by six months in response to clashes in the capital, Baghdad, and the country’s southern provinces in late 2019, when tens of thousands took to the streets to protest widespread corruption, rising unemployment and poor public services.
Security forces used deadly force to fire live ammunition and tear gas. More than 600 people were killed and thousands injured.
A total of 3,449 candidates are vying for 329 seats in the parliamentary elections, the sixth since the 2003 invasion, when longtime dictator Saddam Hussein was ousted.
More than 250,000 security personnel ensure the safety of election day. Soldiers, police and counter-terrorism units are stationed near polling stations, many of which are barbed wire.
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