Iraqi Parliamentary Elections

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Iraqi Parliamentary Elections

Background:

• On Sunday, Oct. 10, Iraq held its fifth parliamentary elections since 2003. 
• The parliamentary elections decide the 329 members of the Council of Representatives. The members then elect the Iraqi President and confirm the Iraqi Prime Minister.
• Initially meant to take place in 2022, these elections were brought forward to satisfy the protesters in 2019 who took over the streets to protest rampant corruption and poor services. Many Iraqis also held the opinion that the elite had abused power to acquire monetary gains. 

Election Results: 

• On Oct. 16, Iraq’s election commission announced the full results of the parliamentary election: 
  • Muqtada al-Sadr’s Shia party won 73 seats. 
  • Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi’s Taqaddum bloc won 37 seats. 
  • Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law bloc won 34 seats. 
  • The Al-Fatah Coalition won 17 seats. 
  • The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan won 16 seats. 
  • Millionaire Khamis Khanjar’s Azem Alliance won 12 seats. 
  • The Imtidad Movement won 9 seats. 
  • The New Generation Movement won 9 seats. 
• According to the Iraqi election commission, approximately 43% of eligible voters casted their ballots on election day. Representing the lowest voter turnout since 2003, this statistic has prompted concerns of voter apathy towards the political process.