Gabbi Gruver- Low turnout as Iraqis vote for first time since ISIL defeat

Low turnout as Iraqis vote for first time since ISIL defeat

Vote counting in Iraq has started since they declared victory over ISIL last year. Voter turnout stood at only 44.52%. The vote comes Saturday after Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, head of the Nasr (Victory) coalition promised to be more inclusive of Iraq’s Sunni minority. However there were many difficulties in the election process. The Iraqi High Electoral Commission reports that the overall turnout at 32%, half of the 60% in the last election four years ago. One reason for such a low turnout is that many Iraqis, especially Sunnis, do not view the election as legitimate and boycotted the vote. In addition, there was also a curfew, public transportation ban, and vehicle ban that kept people from traveling to vote. This was the first time the country saw a new electronic voting system, yet many irregularities were found. It is unlikely that one party will win 165 seats that are required to maintain fully majority. Al-Abadi will remain in power until a new prime minister is chosen. Their constitution has a quota for female representation, requiring the no less than one fourth of parliament members must be women. There was a higher turnout in Kurdish areas after the Kurds realized that they cannot ignore Baghdad after the failed referendum last September. The most crucial part of the election is finding who will repair billions of dollars worth of destruction after ISIL was forced out.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/turnout-iraqis-vote-time-isil-defeat-180512155813741.html

Gabbi Gruver