“This is my son. He went after his rights, his country … he was killed,” Muhamad al-Zubaidi, carrying a photo of his son, told Rudaw’s Dildar Harki.
The Tishreen protests condemned state corruption, failing public services, and high unemployment. They lasted several months and were met with violence and repression from state forces and militias backed by Iran that left at least 600 dead and thousands wounded.
The protests brought down the government of Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, ignited reforms to the electoral law, and forced the October 10 parliamentary election that is taking place a year ahead of schedule. Abdul-Mahdi’s replacement Mustafa al-Kadhimi vowed to bring to justice those responsible for killing protesters and activists, but few arrests have been made.
The Opposition Forces Gathering, an umbrella group that was birthed from the Tishreen protests, called Iraqis to return to the streets for the anniversary.
Young protesters paraded around the square, carrying the Iraqi flag and chanting, “Ten die, a hundred die, we insist on the cause.”
Though the elections were a protest demand, many on Friday were calling for a boycott, carrying posters that read “Voting for the same people will turn the country into a slaughterhouse” and “Do not vote for those who killed me.”
“I will not vote. Do I vote for murderers?” said Zubaidi, his eyes filled with grief for his dead son.
Voter turnout is expected to be low because of fears of fraud, disillusionment with the political system, and doubt a free and fair vote can be held while the killers of protesters still walk free and militias operate outside of government control.
Iraqis are not happy with the elections “because they killed our martyrs,” said Muhammad al-Tai in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square.
Iraqis in Baghdad commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the October (Tishreen) protests, carrying images of protesters who have been killed. pic.twitter.com/lgwyVbT58h
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) October 1, 2021
The election will take place under a new law that radically changed the voting system and expanded the number of constituencies from 18 to 83. Experts predict it may sideline smaller parties and independent candidates.
Some activists have rejected calls for a boycott, saying elections are an opportunity for change.
Cast a ballot for the “right person, the new faces, the young faces who will form a better future,” said Yasmin in Tahrir Square, giving her first name only.
The United Nations mission in Iraq urged people to vote, using the election to honour the memory of the protesters who have been killed. "Make your voices heard and your votes count on 10 October," it tweeted.
Iraq’s top Shiite religious cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on Wednesday urged voters to cast their ballots in the election, saying that despite “shortcomings,” voting remains the best way to shape the country’s future.
There are a total of 3,249 candidates, including 951 women, competing for 329 seats in the parliament. Nine seats are reserved for minorities and there are 67 candidates vying for these spots. At least 25 million Iraqis are eligible to vote.
The government has imposed strict security measures and is promising a fair and clean vote, including inviting in record-large international observation teams. The United Nations has a group of 130 international experts and around 600 support staff monitoring the elections. A second team of 80 people from the European Union is also observing preparations ahead of the vote and on election day.
Updated at 7:29 pm
