Iraqis faced a fragmented political landscape five months after the ouster of IS, with the dominant Shiites split, the Kurds in disarray and Sunnis sidelined. More than 15 blood-sodden years since the US-led ouster of Saddam Hussein, there is deep scepticism about a political system dominated by an elite seen as mired in corruption and sectarianism. A new electronic voting system appeared to cause problems for many voters with some officials saying not enough had been done to raise public awareness. More than two million people remain internally displaced and IS —which has threatened the polls — is still able to launch deadly attacks. Political forces in the Kurdish community—often seen as kingmakers—are also in disarray after a September vote for independence spectacularly backfired.

Source: Manila Times May 12, 2018 21:22 UTC