BAGHDAD — Preliminary turnout figures Monday showed many citizens boycotted Iraq’s parliamentary election, held a year early to appease protestors, in an oil-rich country riddled by corruption and beholden to armed factions. “Get out there and vote, change your reality, for Iraq and for your future,” said Kadhemi, casting his ballot. The preliminary turnout falls below even that recorded in 2018, when 44.5 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. Viola von Cramon, who heads a team of EU observers, had late Sunday lamented the turnout, as partial data emerged. Another major force is the Fatah Alliance, the bloc representing many Iran-backed Shiite armed groups, which is expected to roughly retain its share of seats.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 11, 2021 05:48 UTC