For the first time in ten years, there will be provincial elections in Iraq

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Polling stations opened on Monday in 15 of the 18 provinces – the three provinces in the semi-autonomous Kurdish regions did not participate. Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani cast his vote in Baghdad on Monday morning, state news agency INA reported. The elections are a “crucial pillar” in the attempt to decentralize the government and represent the population in local governments.

The provincial councils were established after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime under the 2005 constitution. They have important functions, for example in fulfilling public duties. This means that they can independently set budgets for their respective provinces, for areas such as education and health care. Moreover, they are not subject to any control by the ministries. The councils can also appoint or dismiss governors and are considered the main supervisory body under the central government.

The polling stations should remain open until Monday evening, with the results expected on Tuesday. More than 15 of the 42 million inhabitants were called to vote. In the elections, approximately 6,000 candidates are running for the 275 seats in the provincial councils.

The ruling alliance of Shia parties is expected to emerge stronger from the elections. The elections are unlikely to significantly change the distribution of power in the country. However, the results are likely to provide information on the level of popular support that political alliances have and how they might position themselves in the 2025 parliamentary elections. It is likely that Prime Minister Al-Sudani will remain in power until then. The movement of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr boycotted the elections.

Twenty years after the American invasion to overthrow dictator Saddam Hussein and after the fight against the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS), Iraq is still far from a stable democracy. Elections are now taking place regularly in the struggle between political, religious and ethnic groups. However, corruption and mismanagement are still widespread. Moreover, militias loyal to Iran have great influence in Iraq and state institutions are weak.

(SDA)

Source: Blick