Even fewer Iraqis went to the polls on Sunday, compared to the most recent election in 2018, which was already at a low 44 percent - a figure that has been accused of being hairdressed to legitimize the system.

According to the election commission, the turnout for Sunday's parliamentary vote is 41 percent, or nine million of Iraq's 25 million eligible citizens.

Freelance journalist Lina Malers, based in Baghdad, says that the election should be seen against the background of the extensive protests that have been going on in the country since 2019, against, among other things, corruption and unemployment.

- The mass protests did not lead to the changes that people wanted to see.

Corruption is still widespread, unemployment is sky high and there are no basic social services such as water, electricity and healthcare.

So there is a huge disappointment and anger among large sections of the population right now.

Dissatisfaction with the election has been fueled by the fact that several independent candidates and democracy activists in the country have been threatened and murdered in recent months.

"The system is seen as thoroughly corrupt"

Lina Malers says that it has been very sparse in the polling stations she visited.

- Turnout is expected to be the lowest ever.

Large sections of the Iraqi population do not believe that change is possible through the political system.

As they see it, they go and vote year after year and the same elite who only enrich themselves return in different constellations.

There is a widespread perception that it is in the streets that change can be achieved rather than in the polling stations, says Lina Malers.

- Many see it as going and voting gives legitimacy to a system that is seen as thoroughly corrupt.

Election observer: Clear signal

Viola von Cramon, who leads a team of EU election observers, tells TT that she hopes the low turnout is taken seriously.

- This sends a clear political signal, one can only hope that it is heard from the politicians and the political elite in Iraq, says Viola von Cramon.

An election result is expected to be available no later than 5 pm on Monday evening.