Iraqis Heading To The Polls

By Suha Abrahim

On November 11^th, Iraqis are heading to the polls again since the last 2021 election. Voter turnout is expected to be at its lowest since post 2003. Turnout is expected to range from forty to twenty-five percent.  The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission has accepted 7,768 candidates to run for parliament, including 5,520 men and 2,248 women. Iraqis are expecting to see little change from this election due to years of corruption, poor public services, and high unemployment. Citizens complain that elections are meant to keep the elites in place, and outcomes are most likely predetermined. 

Compared to previous prime ministers, the current Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s, rule ended rather quietly with no scandal or major disapproval. The new prime minister will have to address three major challenges, including relations with the U.S., the water crisis, and regional Iranian entanglement. The Turkish and Iranian dams on the Tigris and Euphrates, which Iraq relies on for seventy-five percent of its water, have severely reduced water levels. Relations with the US have been complicated; the US wants to pull out of Iraq but fears the repercussions of removing itself from the region. Lastly, avoiding Iranian entanglement remains important to keep Iraq from becoming a proxy battleground and instead putting “Iraq First”.