In Iraq, where the situation in the Middle East remains tense, national parliamentary elections are taking place, reports DW.
In the voting held on November 11, more than 21 million voters are eligible to participate. Polling stations will be open until 6:00 PM local time.
A total of 7,754 candidates are vying for 329 seats in the parliament of a country with a population of 46 million. Of these, 25% of the seats are reserved for women. More than 300 observers, including representatives of the UN and the Arab League, are monitoring the election process.
The first results are expected to be announced within a day.
Preliminary election results will be known within 24 hours after the voting concludes. Following that, a challenging process of forming a new government will begin, which may take weeks or even months. The current Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed al-Sudani, has expressed a desire to hold this position again.
The elections are taking place against the backdrop of ongoing instability in the country, where wars and repression have raged for decades. Voter preferences are largely determined by their ethnic and religious affiliations. Observers note that the electoral campaign has not focused on specific political programs or debates, but rather has emphasized the struggle for influence and positions.
