Legislative elections kick off in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Nov. 11 (YPA) – Polls opened Tuesday in Iraq for legislative elections being held in country.

Polling stations opened at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) and are due to remain open until 6:00 pm (1500 GMT), with preliminary results expected within 24 hours of closing.

Preliminary results are expected within 24 hours of the polls closing. Iraqi voters have begun arriving at polling stations to elect a new 329-member parliament amid rising regional tensions and a struggle for stability in the country.

Authorities have registered around 22 million Iraqis eligible to vote in the general elections. However, turnout is expected to be low due to a boycott by the Sadrist Movement, one of the country’s main Shiite political forces.

@E.Y.M