Iraqis head to polls for early election shunned by activistsIraq holds early elections Sunday two years after anti-government protests but analysts say the vote is unlikely to deliver major change while disillusioned voters say they will boycott the pollsBAGHDAD - Iraq on Sunday is set to hold an early election billed as a concession to anti-government protests, but expected to be boycotted by many voters who distrust official promises of reform. Dozens of election observers deployed by the European Union and the United Nations were set to monitor the vote. This election will be won by the same factions that people protested against," bemoaned Baghdad day labourer Mohammed Kassem, vowing not to vote. The electoral commission said it expects to publish preliminary results within 24 hours of the close of polls. The Fatah Alliance, the bloc representing many Iran-backed Shiite militias, is expected to retain its share of seats.

Source: Bangkok Post October 10, 2021 01:30 UTC