Members of Iraqi security forces and displaced individuals, including many from the Yazidi minority, participated in early voting on March 10, 2024, for the upcoming parliamentary election in Iraq. This election is crucial for determining whether Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani will secure a second term amidst rising regional tensions, particularly between Israel and Iran.
Approximately 1.3 million military and security personnel, along with around 26,000 displaced people, were eligible to vote. With 7,744 candidates contesting the election, the majority represent primarily sectarian-aligned parties. The official election day is set for March 12, 2024.
Many of the Yazidis, who have been displaced since the rise of the Islamic State group over a decade ago, cast their votes at a camp near Dohuk in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. Political disputes and a lack of infrastructure have hindered their return home. A polling station in a small school in Dohuk remained mostly empty until after 9 a.m., when more voters arrived, some supporting elderly relatives.
Inside the polling station, classrooms filled with monitors from various political parties observed the voting process. The Yazidis suffered severe persecution during the Islamic State’s campaign, particularly in the Sinjar district of Nineveh province, where thousands were killed or enslaved. Despite the defeat of the extremist group, many Yazidis remain hesitant about returning due to ongoing instability and political strife.
Khedhir Qassim, a displaced Yazidi from Sinjar, expressed skepticism about the election’s potential to bring change. “Eleven years passed and the situation is the same,” he stated. “We want them to support us and rebuild our areas that are ruined due to their political disputes.”
Another displaced Yazidi, Edris Zozani, shared his voting preference, stating he supported the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP), one of the two dominant Kurdish parties in Iraq. “If we have independent Yazidi candidates, they wouldn’t be able to represent us effectively,” he noted. “But if they go to parliament as part of strong lists, like the KDP, they would be in a better position to support the Yazidi community.”
In the Iraqi capital, security personnel, police, and members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) also participated in early voting. The PMF, a coalition of mostly Shiite militias, was formed to combat the Islamic State and was formally integrated into Iraq’s military in 2016. However, it continues to operate with significant autonomy, complicating the political landscape.
The fate of the PMF is expected to be a contentious issue for the next parliament, particularly in light of tensions between Baghdad and Washington regarding the presence of Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Legislation to solidify the relationship between the military and the PMF has drawn objections from U.S. officials.
“I voted for the list that defends the PMF,” said one militiaman after voting in Baghdad, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of his comments. He did not specify which list he supported. Several political parties associated with the PMF are participating in the elections.
As Iraq approaches the official election day, the implications of these early votes extend beyond individual preferences, highlighting the ongoing struggles of displaced communities and the complex political dynamics at play in the country.
