• About Us
  • Who Are We
  • Work With Us
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Globe Post
39 °f
New York
44 ° Fri
46 ° Sat
40 ° Sun
41 ° Mon
No Result
View All Result
The Globe Post
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

Iraq Holds First Nationwide Election Since ISIS Defeat

Staff Writer by Staff Writer
05/12/18
in Featured, Middle East
An Iraqi at a polling station

An Iraqi voter at a poll station in the northern multi-ethnic city of Kirkuk on May 12, 2018. Photo: Marwan Ibrahim, AFP

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Iraq voted Saturday in its first parliamentary election since declaring victory over the Islamic State group, with growing tensions between neighbouring Iran and the United States threatening a power struggle.

Turnout appeared weak as polling stations closed across the country after 11 hours of voting that took place under tight security given the ongoing threat posed by the jihadists.

There were no major incidents reported across the country, with the only flareup coming when, a local official said, shelling killed a policeman and wounded five others in eastern Iraq.

The poll comes with tensions surging between key powers Iran and the United States after Washington pulled out of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal, sparking fears of a destabilising power struggle in Iraq.

Roughly 24.5 million voters face a fragmented political landscape five months after ISIS was ousted, with the dominant Shiites split, the Kurds in disarray and Sunnis sidelined.

More than 15 blood-sodden years since the U.S.-led ouster of Saddam Hussein, there is scepticism about a political system dominated by an elite seen as mired in corruption and sectarianism.

At a polling station in the Baghdad district of Karrada, 74-year-old voter Sami Wadi appealed for change “to save the country.” He called on Iraqis “to prevent those who have controlled the nation since 2003 from staying in power.”

While voting stations in the capital were sparsely attended, in some part of the country there seemed greater interest in the vote. In the former ISIS bastion of Mosul — still partly in ruins from the months-long fight to oust the group  — residents queued up to make their choice as they look to recover from jihadist rule.

“I am voting for security and the economy to stabilise and for a better future,” said labourer Ali Fahmi, 26.

In a safe & secure election environment, millions of Iraqis from every part of Iraq today voted to choose who will represent them in parliament for the next four years as they build a united and prosperous Iraq #IraqVotes #IraqiElections2018 pic.twitter.com/BSP9t8sI6H

— Government of Iraq (@IraqiGovt) May 12, 2018

‘Terror’ Defeated

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi — who took office as ISIS rampaged across Iraq in 2014 — is angling for a new term, claiming credit for defeating the jihadists and seeing off a Kurdish push for independence.

But competition from within his Shiite community, the majority group dominating Iraqi politics, will likely splinter the vote and spell lengthy horse-trading to form any government.

“Iraq is strong and unified after defeating terror,” Abadi said after voting. “The elections will determine Iraq’s future.”

Whoever emerges as premier will face the mammoth task of rebuilding a country left shattered by the battle against ISIS — with donors already pledging $30 billion (25 billion euros). More than two million people remain internally displaced and ISIS — which has threatened the polls — is still able to launch deadly attacks.

Iraq has long been a crucible for the rivalry between Iran and the U.S., with Tehran exerting influence over Shiite politicians and Washington deploying troops to fight ISIS.

Polls have closed in Iraq's parliamentary elections. The results will be announced once the votes are counted and verified #IraqVotes #IraqiElections2018 pic.twitter.com/20tpN6GO49

— Government of Iraq (@IraqiGovt) May 12, 2018

Shiite Contenders

Overall, just under 7,000 candidates are standing and Iraq’s complex system means no single bloc is likely to get anything near a majority in the 329-seat parliament.

Abadi — a consensus figure who has balanced the U.S. and Iran — is facing two leading challengers to his Victory Alliance with closer ties to Tehran.

Ex-premier Nuri al-Maliki is widely reviled for stirring sectarianism and losing territory to ISIS, but draws support from hardliners.

“I wish for all to go to the ballot boxes to make their choice,” Maliki said after casting his ballot, demanding authorities stop “attempts at falsification through the pressuring of voters.”

Hadi al-Ameri — a contender who led Iran-backed paramilitary units that fought IS alongside Baghdad’s troops — called for “change” as he seeks to turn battlefield wins into political gains.

Votes in Sunni heartlands once dominated by ISIS — including Mosul — are up in the air as traditional alliances have been shredded by the fallout of jihadist rule.

Political forces in the Kurdish community — often seen as kingmakers — are also in disarray after a September vote for independence spectacularly backfired.

The Kurds look set to lose some of their clout on the national stage after Baghdad unleashed a battery of sanctions and seized back disputed oil-rich regions.

Just voted in #Erbil. Look forward to seeing strong Kurdistani representation in the federal parliament and government and hope to see all sides respect and implement the Constitution and be the voice of the people#Kurdistan#IraqElections pic.twitter.com/aYK1hjSAOp

— Bayan Sami Rahman (@BayanRahman) May 12, 2018

Putting on a brave face, the prime minister of autonomous Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani, insisted the political process would not succeed “without Kurdish participation.”

“No party can form the next government without alliances,” he said in televised comments after voting.

An announcement on the turnout was due Saturday evening and initial results are expected in three days.

Can Iraq Balance Relations With Both Saudi Arabia and its Arch-Rival Iran?

Share1Tweet
Staff Writer

Staff Writer

AFP with The Globe Post

Related Posts

Iraq
Middle East

Amnesty Urges Iraq to Account for 643 Missing Boys and Men

by Staff Writer
June 3, 2021
Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani
Middle East

Anti-US Chants as Iraqis Mourn Commanders Killed A Year Ago

by Staff Writer
January 3, 2021
President Donald Trump and US Attorney General William Barr step off Air Force One upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland last September 1, 2020.
National

US Attorney General Says No Evidence of Decisive Election Fraud

by Staff Writer
December 2, 2020
An Iraqi Kurdish woman wearing the Kurdish flag.
Middle East

Iraqi Kurds Look on as Israel Befriends Old Arab Foes

by Staff Writer
November 29, 2020
Mass protesters in Iraq.
World

A Year After Unprecedented Iraq Protests, What Has Changed?

by Staff Writer
September 29, 2020
Protests in Belarus
World

Hundreds Detained, Firearms Used in Third Night of Belarus Unrest

by Staff Writer
August 12, 2020
Next Post
Donald Trump delivering a speech

Robert Einhorn: Hard for Remaining Countries to Keep Iran Nuke Deal Alive

Protesters in Gaza waving Palestinian flags

52 Dead in Gaza Border Clashes as US Embassy Opens in Jerusalem

Please login to join discussion

Recommended

A supporter of nurses' strike and NHS holds a placard

UK Faces Fresh Mass Strikes as Wage Talks Derail

February 1, 2023
Israeli security forces in Jerusalem

Palestinian Gunman Kills 7 in East Jerusalem Synagogue Attack

January 30, 2023
The Doomsday Clock reads 100 seconds to midnight, a decision made by The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, during an announcement at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on January 23, 2020

‘Doomsday Clock’ Moves Closest Ever to Midnight

January 25, 2023
Police work near the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California

California Lunar New Year Mass Shooter Dead, Motive Unclear: Police

January 23, 2023
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

Race on To Replace Ardern as New Zealand Prime Minister

January 20, 2023
Pfizer logo and vaccines

Pfizer to Sell More Drugs at Cost to Poor Nations

January 18, 2023

Opinion

George Santos from the 3rd Congressional district of New York

George Santos for Speaker!

January 16, 2023
Commuters waiting for buses in Metro Manila. Philippines

Eight Billion and Counting…

November 29, 2022
Mahsa Amini protests

Imagining a Free Iran

October 24, 2022
Vladimir Putin

How 18th Century International Law Clarifies the Situation in Ukraine

September 29, 2022
Vladimir Putin

Falling for Putin

September 15, 2022
US President Donald Trump

Donald Trump Thanks You for Your Sacrifice

August 17, 2022
Facebook Twitter

Newsletter

Do you like our reporting?
SUBSCRIBE

About Us

The Globe Post

The Globe Post is part of Globe Post Media, a U.S. digital news organization that is publishing the world's best targeted news sites.

submit oped

© 2018 The Globe Post

No Result
View All Result
  • National
  • World
  • Business
  • Interviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Democracy at Risk
    • Media Freedom
  • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Columns
    • Book Reviews
    • Stage
  • Submit Op-ed

© 2018 The Globe Post