Iraq Elections
Iraq election continues to ignite unrest
Iraq has held its fifth election since the US-led invasion in 2003. The government is portraying the election as fulfilling the public demand for change but protesters denounce it as neither free nor fair.
Protesters gathered in the lead-up to the vote to decry the election process. Alaa Al Sattar is a protest organizer: ‘The electoral districts were divided according to the parties’ interests, so as to exclude new parties and new faces from the parliament.’ Jaleel Khalaf, president of Iraq's election commission, says: ‘The commission has worked on different measures, which make it impossible to manipulate the elections.’
FULL SYNOPSIS