Good morning! Polls have opened for the general vote in Iraq's 2021 parliamentary election.

While the election is happening ahead of schedule in response to a protest movement that emerged due to frustration with corruption and inadequate public services, many expect a low turnout amid claims of fraud and widespread disillusionment with the political system.

The election is taking place under a new electoral law that has radically changed the voting system. It is strictly monitored by international groups, including the United Nations and the European Union.

Top politicians have already cast their votes early in the morning. 

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani was the first official to cast his vote in Erbil.

“When the elections are over, I hope all the Kurdistani forces unite to advocate for the rights of Kurds in Baghdad,” Barzani said in a presser, noting that the Iraqi people “deserve a better life.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and President Barham Salih, as well as Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani have also cast their votes.

Polls opened at 7 am and are expected to close at 6 pm. Protracted negotiations over choosing a new cabinet and president usually follow the elections.

This year, the elections will be closely monitored.

The UN said it would have a team of more than 800 people in Iraq to monitor and assist the national election commission. The European Union has also deployed its first election monitoring team in Iraq. Both groups came in response to Baghdad’s request for international presence at this year’s elections as part of its attempts to address multiple security concerns and allay fears of fraud, vote-buying and voter intimidation.

There are over 3,200 candidates 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.

Iraq’s security forces on Friday went to the polling stations to vote during the special voting period ahead of the general election day. 

The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Jalil Adnan on Saturday said that the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) is fully prepared for Sunday’s election.