Iraq is heading today, Monday, towards the provincial councils elections, and these elections are the first since the outbreak of the ISIS war in early 2014 ten years ago. That war caused the displacement of large numbers of people, genocide, and other atrocities.

When the war ended, it was followed by more chaos, as there was a referendum on independence in the Kurdish region with autonomous governance. Then, the Iraqi federal government, supported by Shiite militias, attacked the Kurds in Sinjar and Kirkuk. Later, Iran-backed militias launched a campaign against US forces in 2019 and 2020.

Today, Iraq is trying to put some of its past behind, but reports warned of voter apathy and the possibility of violence. However, experts said indicators point to a high turnout in some areas, and this might be the way forward in some regions. Additionally, there was already early voting specifically for 50,000 displaced people and security forces.

The number of voters in various areas is about 16 million. Al-Ain media said there are 7,766 polling centers in Baghdad and the provinces, and 38,000 polling stations. Thirty-eight electoral alliances and more than 4,000 candidates are competing.

The Sadrist Movement, led by Muqtada al-Sadr, is the largest Shiite group and among the most notable absentees from the provincial councils elections after deciding to boycott. Furthermore, the Iraqi Supreme Court sought to dismiss Muhammad al-Halbousi from parliament, which made him popular in some Sunni areas of Iraq, to which he belongs.

Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, loyal to Iran, also has groups on the ballots. There are also local parties competing in Anbar province, along with several Kurdish parties such as the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

The elections are important for Iraq and will show whether the country can hold peaceful elections and also represent most of its various groups, including Sunni Arabs, Shiites, Kurds, Yazidis, Turkmen, Assyrians, and others.