Elections in Iraq: large security contingent, few voters

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Employees at a polling station in Baghdad count votes

Photo: Ameer Al Mohammedaw / dpa

Turnout in Iraq has fallen to a record low.

Many Iraqis are very frustrated with the country's political elite.

In the parliamentary elections on Sunday, only 42 percent of the voters cast their vote, as the Iraqi election commission announced on Monday night according to media reports.

In a total of five elections, this was the lowest turnout since the overthrow of long-term ruler Saddam Hussein in 2003.

As early as 2018, it had dropped to its lowest level at 44.5 percent.

Oil-rich Iraq is in a political and economic crisis.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kasimi had preferred the vote after mass protests.

The demonstrations broke out in October 2019.

They were directed against rampant corruption, the weak economic situation and poor infrastructure.

250,000 security guards during the election

Activists of the protest movement had called for an election boycott.

Many Iraqis have little faith in politics.

They stayed away from the vote because they do not expect the election to change the existing balance of power.

Election observers also attributed the low turnout to the large number of security forces.

According to official information, more than 250,000 security guards were on duty to prevent incidents.

The effort seems to "deter people a bit," said the head of the EU election observer, the Green MEP Viola von Cramon.

Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia cells are still active in Iraq.

svs / dpa