Overview
- Election officials say 1.314 million security personnel and more than 26,500 displaced voters are eligible to cast early ballots on Sunday across 809 polling centers for the forces and designated sites in displacement camps.
- Observers warn of low participation after the Sadrist Movement’s boycott and declining voter engagement, with fears turnout could fall below the record low seen in 2021.
- Roughly 7,700 candidates are competing for 329 seats under a system reserving a quarter of seats for women and nine for minorities, with no overseas polling this cycle and 848 candidates disqualified ahead of the vote amid allegations of vote-buying.
- Members of the Popular Mobilization Forces are taking part in the special vote as affiliated parties such as Huqouq and Sadiqoun contest seats, and lawmakers debate proposals affecting the PMF’s status within Iraq’s security apparatus.
- The result will influence whether Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani secures a second term as Iraq tries to balance ties with Tehran and Washington during a period of regional tension.