UPDATE - Voting begins in Iraq's parliamentary elections

UPDATES WITH PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT, REVISES DECK

By Anadolu staff

BAGHDAD / ISTANBUL (AA) - Voting began in Iraq on Tuesday to elect a new parliament in polls that will shape the country’s political scene for the next four years.

Approximately 21 million voters are eligible to cast ballots to elect members of the 329-seat parliament, which will elect the president and grant confidence to the government.

Polls will close at 6 pm local time (1500GMT) with no extensions.

The results of the elections are scheduled to be announced within 24 hours of the vote, and will be officially confirmed after appeals are examined.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said the elections are taking place "in a safe and stable atmosphere," appreciating the role of the security forces.

"The elections confirm the principle of peaceful transfer of power, and the government has paid great attention to that,” Sudani told a press conference after he cast his vote at a polling station in the capital Baghdad.

The Iraqi premier said the elections are being conducted on the constitutional date and with the presence of international observers “to present a clear picture of the electoral process.”

The last legislative elections in Iraq were held on Oct. 10, 2021, two years after widespread protests forced former Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi to resign. Mustafa Al-Kadhimi succeeded him and oversaw the elections.

The current parliament, dominated by Shia parties and blocs, began its term on Jan. 9, 2022, for four years to end on Jan. 8, 2026.

Under Iraqi law, legislative elections must be held at least 45 days before the end of the parliament’s term.

Iraq’s three branches of government are traditionally divided by sect: the presidency goes to Kurds, the prime ministry to Shias, and the parliamentary speaker to Sunnis, ensuring all segments of society are represented in government.