Polls to Determine Iraq’s Future
Head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq described today’s general elections in the country as decisive.
“Today’s polls will determine the future of Iraq,” Ammar al-Hakim told reporters after casting his ballot on Wednesday, Al-Sumaria news website reported.
He urged all Iraqis to cast their vote, adding that massive participation in the elections would weaken terrorists.
People in Iraq started casting their ballots in the country’s parliamentary elections early on Wednesday, amid deadly violence fomented by al-Qaeda-linked militants to disrupt the vote.
Over 20 million voters choose between upwards of 9,000 candidates running for 328 seats.
Wednesday’s vote is Iraq’s first parliamentary polls since US forces withdrew in 2011 and is a major test for the security forces. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is hoping to win a third term.
