Iraq's First Provincial Elections in a Decade Marred by Boycott and Security Concerns

Despite a Boycott Call by Influential Shiite Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, Initial Voting Shows High Turnout Among Military and Security Personnel

Iraq held its first provincial elections in a decade on Monday, with a low turnout expected due to a boycott call by influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and ongoing security concerns.
The elections, seen as a bellwether for the parliamentary election due in 2025, were marred by scattered violence and allegations of irregularities.
Despite the boycott, initial voting on Saturday showed a relatively high turnout of about 67% among military and security personnel and displaced people living in camps.
The elections are likely to strengthen the power of the ruling Coordination Framework coalition, an Iran-aligned bloc that includes Shiite Islamist parties with factions of Hashed al-Shaabi.
Al-Sadr's boycott is intended to voice rejection of the government’s policies and deprive the government of legitimacy.