From in front of the polling center in the capital Baghdad, where he cast his vote in the early legislative elections, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi urged all citizens to go out and participate in this electoral process to contribute to change. He repeatedly called on Iraqis to vote, saying, "Go out, go out and participate and vote in the elections for the sake of change." He also encouraged Iraqis to vote for candidates they believe are suitable for the country's interests, stating, "Our opportunity for reform exists, but we need the people to choose the candidate who strives for the betterment of the country. Choose those who you see fit for your future and for the country; we must all participate in changing our reality."
On another note, he revealed that the government would announce a surprise and a significant security achievement on Monday, without disclosing its nature. Regarding the achievements of the current government, he said that it succeeded in providing a reserve of 12 billion dollars in a nearly bankrupt state and amid a significant decline in oil prices, in addition to the challenges posed by the coronavirus.
It's worth mentioning that polling stations opened their doors this Sunday morning for Iraqis to participate in these early parliamentary elections, which were organized months ahead of schedule in response to unprecedented protests that erupted in 2019 against corruption, the decline of public services, the political parties' corruption, and Iranian interference. Observers expect a record boycott rate among the 25 million eligible voters in this election, where the Sadrist movement led by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is considered the most favored, according to reports from France Press. It is noted that polling stations are expected to close at 18:00 (15:00 GMT), with preliminary results expected within 24 hours, while official results may take about 10 days.
