Iraqi activists plan protest ahead of election

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi activists hope to draw massive crowds into the streets on October 1, a little over a week before elections, to mark two years since anti-government protests rocked the capital.

“The first of October is an important, historical day in the journey of the Iraqi peoples’ struggle,” spokesperson for Opposition Forces Gathering, Basim al-Sheikh, told Rudaw English late on Friday.

The commemoration planned for Friday will be proof that 2019 Tishreen (October) movement continues, he added.

The Opposition Forces Gathering is an umbrella group of 40 movements, groups and political parties that were birthed from the protests. The 2019 demonstrations 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 forced the resignation of Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, reforms to the electoral law, and the October 10 parliamentary election that is taking place a year ahead of schedule.

Tishreen activists, however, are boycotting the election that was the top of their demands because the vote “lacks sufficient guarantees to prevent fraud, limit uncontrolled weapons, and control of political money,” according to Sheikh.

“The Tishreen [movement] demanded real elections that would result in change and fulfillment of Tishreen’s demands, not an election that is considered democratic decoration,” he said.

When Iraqis go to the polls on October 10 it will be under a new electoral law that radically changed the voting system and expanded the number of constituencies from 18 to 83, which is the number of quota seats for women, meaning every district will send at least one woman to the parliament. Experts predict it may sideline smaller parties and independent candidates.

Polls have forecasted a record-low turnout as voters are questioning the legitimacy of the vote in an environment where armed militias operate with impunity outside of government control, Islamic State (ISIS) militants carry out frequent attacks, and fears of electoral fraud coupled with disillusionment over the political system is threatening to keep many people away.

At least 25 million Iraqis are eligible to vote. 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.

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