Iraq holds first provincial elections in a decade with over 17 million votes cast

BAGHDAD — Public voting centers across various cities in Iraq opened their doors to more than 17 million Iraqi voters on Monday as citizens participated in electing members of provincial councils and shaping the future of local governments. This marks the first provincial council elections in the country in a decade.

Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani urged citizens to actively engage in the electoral process, emphasizing the importance of selecting representatives who will dutifully fulfill their roles within the bounds of the law and constitution.

Al-Sudani highlighted the significance of these elections, marking a constitutional milestone after a ten-year delay. He emphasized that the provincial elections are crucial for implementing administrative decentralization, giving people a voice in local governance. Additionally, they serve as a foundation for the state to support the federal government in executing its executive program.

The 7,166 election offices, operating under stringent security measures, closed at 6 pm Iraqi time. Approximately 17 million voters were invited to choose from a pool of 6,000 candidates competing for 285 seats across all governorates.

Established after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, the provincial councils hold considerable powers. Among their key responsibilities is the election of governors and the allocation of budgets for essential sectors like health, transportation, and education, funded through allocations in the general budget, 90% of which relies on oil revenues.