Iraqis head to vote hoping for change

BAGHDAD－Millions of Iraqis headed to polling stations across the country on Sunday to elect a parliament amid hopes that it could solve the country's longstanding political crisis.

Voters were lining up to cast ballots at 8,273 polling centers, comprised of more than 55,000 polling stations, which opened at 7 am local time.

Electronic devices would automatically close the voting process 11 hours later.

According to the country's Independent High Electoral Commission, the results were expected to be announced within the following 24 hours.

The vote was to have been held next year but was brought forward in response to months of protests against corruption and a lack of public services.

"I voted because there needs to be change," said Amir Fadel, 22, a car dealer, after casting his ballot in the Karradah district of Baghdad.

About 24 million Iraqis were eligible to cast their ballots for 3,249 candidates, running individually and within 167 parties and coalitions, vying for 329 seats in the legislature, the electoral commission said.

More than 250,000 security personnel across the country were on duty to protect the vote.

Opportunity for reform

President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi urged Iraqis to vote.

"Get out and vote, and change your reality for the sake of Iraq and your future," said al-Kadhimi, repeating it three times after he cast his ballot at a school in Baghdad.

"To those who hesitate, put your trust in God and go and choose those you deem appropriate," he added, reflecting concerns over a low turnout. "This is our opportunity for reform."

As a security precaution, Iraq closed its airspace and land border crossings and scrambled its air force from Saturday night until early Monday morning.

The election was the first under a new election law that divides the country into smaller constituencies and allows for more independent candidates.

A United Nations Security Council resolution adopted this year authorized an expanded team to monitor the elections. Up to 600 international observers were in place, including 150 from the UN.

For the first time Iraq was using biometric cards for voters. To prevent the electronic cards being used to cast more than one vote, they would be disabled for 72 hours after being used.

Xinhua - Agencies