Iraqis are preparing to vote in the sixth parliamentary election under the proportional representation law, which was approved by parliament on March 27, 2023. The election is a significant political event that is being closely watched by both domestic and international observers, as it is expected to bring about changes in the composition of the legislative authority and the selection of 329 new members of parliament. This will pave the way for the election of the President of the Republic and the formation of the next government.
The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced that the number of candidates has reached 7,744, with young people making up about 40% of them. This reflects the dynamism of the electoral scene and the desire of the new generation to participate actively in politics.
The candidates are distributed across 18 governorates, each of which constitutes a single electoral district. Baghdad, the capital, has the largest share with 71 parliamentary seats.
According to IHEC data, more than 21 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots at 8,703 polling stations, which include more than 39,000 voting stations distributed according to the population density in the governorates.
The upcoming election will feature an unprecedented level of participation, with 31 political alliances, 38 parties, and 75 independent candidates taking part in a contest that is described as the most diverse since 2003.
In terms of security, the authorities have announced a comprehensive plan to secure the electoral process, which includes the participation of 9,932 officers and about 185,000 security personnel from various formations, including units from the Iraqi army, Popular Mobilization Forces, and the intelligence agency. The goal is to ensure a safe and transparent environment on election day.
In preparation for the election, IHEC has confirmed that it has completed the distribution of more than 76% of the new biometric cards to voters. The commission considers the turnout to collect the cards as evidence of the seriousness of Iraqis to participate despite internal challenges and external threats.
Observers believe that the upcoming election could be a turning point in the political process towards consolidating the foundations of democracy and renewing trust in elected institutions, in light of the country’s ongoing efforts to achieve stability and reform.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
