Iraqis vote in general election in rare moment of calm

BAGHDAD: Iraqis began voting for a new parliament on Tuesday at a pivotal time for the country and the wider region, in an election that both Iran and the United States will be closely watching.

Iraq has been unusually stable in recent years, as the nation tries to move past decades of war since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

But even now, the country of 46 million people suffers from poor infrastructure, failing public services and endemic corruption.

Many have lost hope that elections can bring meaningful change to their daily lives and see the vote as a sham that only benefits political elites and regional powers.

Polling stations opened at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) and close at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT), with preliminary results expected within 24 hours of closing.

Just minutes after the polls opened, several senior politicians voted at the luxurious Al-Rasheed hotel in the capital, Baghdad.

But four hours later, AFP correspondents reported a mostly low turnout in several main cities.

In Baghdad, the streets, adorned with election posters, were largely deserted except for security forces, though polling stations in some neighbourhoods drew a fair number of voters.

More than 21 million people are eligible to vote, but there are fears turnout could drop below the 41 percent registered in 2021 — the lowest since voting began.

But for Mohammed Mehdi, a public servant in his thirties, voting is a right and a means to achieve change.

While he doesn’t blame those who chose to boycott, he said after casting his vote in Baghdad that politicians have spent heavily to win votes, “proving my vote is valuable — so I will use it.” APP