Iraqi security forces and displaced citizens began casting their ballots on Sunday ahead of the national parliamentary election. Around 1.3 million members of the army and police, along with 26,000 displaced people, qualified to vote early. A total of 7,744 candidates are contesting the election, most representing parties tied to sectarian affiliations. Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to decide the next parliament. The results will determine whether Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani secures a second term as Iraq faces regional tension involving Israel, Iran, and shifting relations with the United States.
Yazidis Cast Their Votes from Displacement Camps
In the northern Kurdish region, displaced Yazidis participated in the early vote at a camp near Dohuk. Many Yazidis fled their homes over a decade ago after Islamic State militants attacked Sinjar, killing and enslaving thousands. Most survivors have not returned because political divisions and poor infrastructure still plague their homeland. Despite the fall of IS, Sinjar remains divided among armed groups, and reconstruction has stalled.
Edris Zozani, a displaced Yazidi, voted for the Kurdish Democratic Party, known as the KDP. He said the Yazidi community needs representation from stronger alliances. “Independent Yazidi candidates can’t defend our interests effectively,” he said. “Within the KDP, they can better protect our rights.”
Security Forces Vote as Political Tensions Simmer
In Baghdad, soldiers, police officers, and members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) lined up to vote. The PMF, a coalition of mainly Shiite militias backed by Iran, joined the national army in 2016 but still operates with significant autonomy. The next parliament will face pressure to clarify the PMF’s legal status amid ongoing friction between Baghdad and Washington over militia influence.
A militiaman who voted in the capital said he supported “the list that defends the PMF,” refusing to name the party. Several groups within the PMF control political factions competing in this election. The outcome will help shape Iraq’s balance between Iranian-backed forces and Western interests, testing whether Prime Minister al-Sudani can maintain stability and secure another term in office.
