Legislative in Iraq: a historically low turnout

The participation rate in the early legislative elections in Iraq reached 41%.

REUTERS - ARI JALAL

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The rate of participation in the legislative elections in Iraq reached 41%, announced the electoral commission early Monday morning, a higher abstention than the last poll in 2018.

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This initial rate published by the Election Commission is based on the results in 94% of polling stations, the Commission said in a statement.

In 2018, participation stood at 44.52% according to official figures that detractors considered inflated.

The number of voters is 9,077,779,

 " the Electoral Commission said in a statement.

“ 

The preliminary turnout is 41%,

 ” she added.

In Baghdad, the participation rate varied between 31% and 34%, depending on the neighborhood.

Some 25 million voters were called Sunday, October 10 to the polls to choose from more than 3,200 candidates.

While the vote was still underway on Sunday, the head of the European Union observation mission, Viola von Cramon, deplored " 

a very low turnout 

".

This is a clear political signal, and we can only hope that it will be heard by the political elite

 ," she added.

► To read also: Legislative elections in Iraq: towards a strong abstention?

A success according to Moqtada al-Sadr

Initially scheduled for 2022, the elections were brought forward to calm the protest born at the end of 2019, an expression of immense popular dissatisfaction with sprawling corruption, failing public services and a failed economy in a country rich in oil.

Suppressed in the blood - at least 600 dead and 30,000 injured - the movement ran out of steam after a few months.

Dozens of activists have been the victims of kidnappings and assassinations, blamed on armed factions loyal to Iran, which play an essential role in Iraq.

► Also to listen: The Iraqi street, united despite everything in the revolt

The election of the 329 deputies is done according to a new electoral law, which establishes a first past the post and increases the number of constituencies to encourage, in theory, independents and local candidates.

According to experts, the big traditional blocs should preserve their representation in a fragmented parliament, where the absence of a clear majority forces to negotiate alliances.

The turbulent but influential Shiite cleric

Moqtada al-Sadr

, whose list, already

at the top in 2018

, is considered a favorite, has already congratulated himself on the " 

success

 " of the electoral process.

In the event of a proven victory, the current of Moqtada al-Sadr, ex-militia leader with anti-American rhetoric, will still have to deal with the great pro-Iran rivals of

Hashd al-Chaabi, who

entered Parliament for the first time in 2018, riding the victory against the Islamic State (IS) group.

(With

AFP

)

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