Iraq Holds First Provincial Elections Since 2003

Iraq held its first provincial council elections on Monday. This election, the first of its kind since 2013, sets the stage for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for 2025.

The delay in holding these elections was primarily due to prolonged war against the Islamic State group, which had seized control of large parts of Iraq before being eventually defeated.

The polls witnessed the participation of people across the nation, with approximately 17 million eligible voters exercising their democratic right. A total of 7,166 polling stations were set up across 15 provinces of Iraq, excluding the autonomous Kurdistan regions. Around 41% of eligible voters cast ballots in Iraq's first local elections in a decade on Monday, state media said.

The Shiite Muslim alliance is likely to strengthen its power amid an ongoing boycott by populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who is the alliance's main political rival. 

System of Government in Iraq:

The Republic of Iraq, following the US-led invasion in 2003 that led to the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, has gradually transitioned into a parliamentary democracy.

In this political system, the prime minister holds the most influential position, presiding over the Council of Ministers. The prime minister is nominated by the most potent parliamentary party or a coalition of parties that collectively command the majority of seats. 

The president, chosen by the parliament, acts as an informal mediator between political groups, holding limited executive powers. This structure contrasts with Saddam Hussein's era, where institutional power rested solely with the president.

Saddam Hussein was the fifth president of Iraq from 1979 to 2003. In 2003,  the United States and its allies invaded Iraq, alleging that Saddam was involved in the development of weapons of mass destruction and had ties with al-Qaeda. On 5 November 2006, Saddam was sentenced to death by hanging. The US continues to face criticism for its Iraq invasion.