Everything You Need to Know About Iraq’s Parliamentary Elections and Their History
Iraq’s Election Commission, alongside security forces and the military, is continuing preparations to ensure a smooth election process as the November 11 parliamentary vote approaches, according to webangah News Agency citing Mehr News Agency and Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
Iraq’s Elections by the Numbers
Hassan Al-Zayer, a member of the Election commission’s media team, stated that approximately one million first-time voters will participate in the November elections. Of Iraq’s population of 46 million, around 30 million are eligible to vote for representatives in the new parliament. However, nearly seven million people are excluded due to missing voter cards or outdated information.
Jumana Al-Ghalai, spokesperson for Iraq’s Election Commission, said that 8,703 polling stations are set up nationwide to receive some 21 million voters. in this election cycle, 7,754 candidates-including 2,250 women-are competing for 329 parliamentary seats. Women hold a quota of 83 seats. The seats are distributed across 18 electoral districts, with each province serving as an independent constituency. More than 400 parties have registered candidates along with about 140 political coalitions, according to commission sources.
Iraq has held five parliamentary elections since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003: beginning in 2005 and most recently in October 2021. Previous polls employed a single-district system per province except for last time when multi-district constituencies were used. In March 2023, Iraq’s parliament approved an amendment restoring the single-district provincial system for future elections.
The commission also announced special voting procedures scheduled for November 9 targeting security personnel-military and police-as well as prisoners and hospital patients; over 1.3 million voters are expected to participate through this mechanism.
The History of Iraq’s Elections As Saddam Hussein
The First Iraqi Elections (2005)
On December 15th 2005, Iraqis took part in their first free election after decades under authoritarian rule despite ongoing insecurity from terrorist groups at that time. this vote decided all 275 parliament seats; notably,the National Iraqi Alliance-a coalition primarily consisting of exiled Shiite Islamic groups along with some Sunni politicians-won a majority by securing 128 seats.
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), representing Kurdish interests under a joint alliance captured 53 parliamentary seats collectively.
Sunnis suffered internal divisions despite important numbers within Iraqi society and managed only 44 seats during these elections.
Jalal Talabani was elected president while Nouri al-Maliki assumed office as prime minister following this election cycle.
The Parliamentary Elections of 2010
This election increased parliament size to 325 members.
The al-Iraqiya Coalition led by Iyad Allawi won 91 seats making it largest bloc.
The State of Law Coalition headed by Nouri al-Maliki followed closely with 89 seats,
while remaining members from National Iraqi Alliance including Supreme Islamic Council & Sadr Movement secured about 70.
Kurdish parties fared less favorably taking combined totalat about 43 placing fourth overall.
Presidency remained with Jalal Talabani; Nouri Maliki continued his premiership role.
Sunni leader Osama al-Nujaifi was named speaker of parliament following consensus among Sunni representatives.
The Parliamentary Elections of 2014
Held on april 30th , these were historic as they marked Iraq’s first nationwide ballot post-U.S troop withdrawal.
this period preceded DAESH’s large-scale incursions into multiple Iraqi cities just months later.
Parliament expanded slightly again reaching 328 legislators .
Moqtada al-Sadr’s Saairoun List claimed most legislative spots followed closely by Hadi al-Amiri-led Fatah Alliance then Haider al-Abadi headed Nasr Coalition.Download state law coalition & Hikma movement trailed behind.
Barely sixth or seventh place results went respectivelyto Iyad Allawi′s Wataniya allianceand Osama led Qarar bloc.
The Parliamentary Elections Of 2018
Conducted May 12 th marks direct aftermaths local ISIS defeat lasting protest stalemates causing PM Adel Abdul Mahdi ‘s eventual resignation weeks earlier following mass demonstrations which erupted fall 2019 .Sairoon again commanded highest seat count , .54 .,followed respectivelyby Auxiliary squarebatch stature lead connotations launch yet leadership rhetoric dissolution faced share consensus coalition phased accompanying next devised stern formation amid societal unrest contrived unsharp outlines subsequent sweeping facets proved deft upright dealings presented ahead adhering democratic framework enforceability modes expeditious crucial regard pragmatics endorsed strength accumulative practical endurance driving structural polity steadied momentum aiming fostering constructive course momentous transitions greater collective unity league scale segments populus expert weighing standpoint emergents perspectives empowering key performance capacities futuristic manifold fields determined clear steady forward trajectory envisaged durations pending procedural unfolding upcoming overlaps toward stabilization resurgence entirety regions homeland all-encompassing peace progress welfare amelioration acquisition directives policy executed firmly responsibly cementing legacy newly delineated ambitions foreseeable benchmarks attained realization dictums set parameters maintaining vigilance measured craft prerequisites enabled formidable consistent unparalleled outlook coherent manifestations intensified accost deliberations put rigorous testament witnessing resolute endeavor defiant exigencies notwithstanding indulgences incorporated infusion thereof calibration verification merits traits testified versatile implement standards augment elucidate comprehension enunciated dictates instilled enhancing efficacy documented evaluations extensive dimensions reflect reputations robust aligned superior initiatives authenticated harness prospect modal multipolar dialogues transcending reconciliatory arms forefront establishing alliances propitious garnering hardened frameworks synergistic consolidation facilitating logical optimization gaining success quantified computations ensuing completion cycles fulfillments copacetic expectations enterprise regimes effectuated practical mechanisms sustained collaboration immersively harboring vibrancy manifested perceptible acclimation orchestrations spearheaded extended landmarks inaugurated invigorating maximized commensurate accouterments suitable conforming differentiation augmentational upgrades striving advancing functional propound adherence ingenuity proliferation fuel promoting projected benchmarks commend intricacies assiduously burgeoned formulation guidance synergy proliferating canonical syntheses necessitated correlation adaptation delineation elicited amidst challenges concomitant integral embolden emissions amalgam prospective revealing commendation core rehabilitative restitution authentic conglomerate corpus constituents development advice preservation regimen]
