In the majority of Iraq’s provinces, pro-Iranian Shiite parties emerged victorious in the December 18 elections, according to the electoral commission’s final findings, which were made public on Thursday.
The poll, which was the first to be held in ten years, was held in the midst of a general lack of interest in politics in the oil-rich nation, which is still recuperating from years of conflict and corruption.
Of Iraq’s eighteen provinces, fifteen had voting; the remaining three, which are located in the autonomous area of Kurdistan, will hold separate elections the following year.
Originally established in the wake of the 2003 US-led invasion that overthrew tyrant Saddam Hussein, provincial councils select regional governors and oversee spending on health, transportation, and education.
In nine central and southern provinces, the big winners were either the parties of outgoing governors, or coalitions formed by the pro-Iran parties that dominate parliament.
The vote was seen as a key test for Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who rose to power just over a year ago, backed by pro-Tehran parties.
It came ahead of a general election due in 2025.
Turnout in the December 18 elections was 41 percent, according to the electoral commission.
Results showed that four alliances dominated the vote in Baghdad, Dhi Qar, Maysan, Basra, Babylon and Wassit provinces.
A prominent leader of the Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of formerly paramilitary troops now incorporated into the regular forces, Hadi al-Ameri led the “Nabni” (We build) alliance.
The State of Law coalition, led by former premier Nuri al-Maliki, and the Patriotic forces of the State Coalition, comprising former premier Haider al-Abadi and Shiite cleric Ammar al-Hakim, performed admirably as well.
With nine of the 52 seats, the State of Law and Nabni dominated the political landscape in Baghdad. Mohamed al-Halbussi, the powerful Sunni Muslim former speaker of parliament,’s Taqadom party came in second.
In the country’s west, in the mostly Sunni province of Anbar, Halbussi emerged triumphant.
