Iraq held parliamentary elections amid rare political stability

BAGHDAD, Iraq (MNTV) — Iraqis voted on Tuesday in a national election to select a new 329‑member parliament, a closely watched event by both the United States and Iran as the country seeks to reinforce stability after years of conflict.

More than 21 million registered voters out of an estimated eligible pool of 32 million were expected to cast ballots across the country’s 18 provinces. Polling opened at 7 a.m. local time and closed at 6 p.m. (15:00 GMT).

Over 7,700 candidates—running under dozens of party lists and independent campaigns—contested the seats. A key factor influencing the election was the boycott by prominent Shiite cleric Moqtada al‑Sadr, whose movement withdrew from the electoral process, prompting concerns over turnout and the overall legitimacy of the vote.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al‑Sudani, who entered office in 2022 with the backing of the Shiite Coordination Framework alliance, was seeking a second term during the election. Many analysts view his coalition as poised to win the largest bloc, although actual control of the premiership will depend on post‑election coalition negotiations rather than a direct electoral majority.

The election came amid broad public cynicism: many Iraqis doubt that even a successful vote will produce significant reforms given the country’s persistent challenges, including corruption, youth unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure.

Observers say the outcome will likely be shaped not only by seat counts but more importantly by the coalition‑building process that follows, which will determine how Iraq manages its complex relationships with both Tehran and Washington and whether it can move beyond patronage politics.