2018 Iraqi parliamentary election

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2018 Iraqi parliamentary election
Flag of Iraq.svg
  2014 12 May 2018 2021  

All 329 seats in the Council of Representatives
165 seats needed for a majority
PartyLeaderVote %Seats+/–
Saairun Muqtada al-Sadr 14.4754
Fatah Hadi Al-Amiri 13.1848
Victory Alliance Haider al-Abadi 10.9542
KDP Nechirvan Barzani 8.5225
State of Law Nouri al-Maliki 6.9925
Al-Wataniya Ayad Allawi 6.0421
PUK Kosrat Rasul Ali 5.9718
NWM Ammar al-Hakim 5.5619
Iraqi Decision Alliance Osama al-Nujaifi 3.5514
Gorran 1.945
NGM 1.794
Anbar is Our Identity 1.396
Coalition of Competencies for Change 1.362
Eradaa Movement 1.333
Coalition for Democracy and Justice 1.192
KIU 1.002
Civilized Alliance 0.962
Baghdad Alliance 0.943
KIG 0.892
Arab Alliance of Kirkuk 0.813
Nineveh Is Our Identity 0.803
Turkmen Front of Kirkuk 0.773
National Fortress Coalition 0.753
Civil Democratic Alliance 0.691
Banners of Benevolence 0.622
National Party of the Masses 0.522
The Passing 0.482
Democratic Approach 0.361
Babylon Movement 0.322
Civic Party 0.311
Saladin Is Our Identity 0.311
Assembly of the Men of Iraq 0.251
CSAPC 0.191
Rafidain List 0.191
Chaldean List 0.161
Yazidi Progress Party 0.061
Independent 0.823
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister-designate
Haider al-Abadi
Victory Alliance
Adil Abdul-Mahdi
Independent

Parliamentary elections were held in Iraq on 12 May 2018. [1] The elections decided the 329 members of the Council of Representatives, the country's unicameral legislature, who in turn will elect the Iraqi president and prime minister. [2] The Iraqi parliament ordered a manual recount of the results on 6 June 2018. [3] On 10 June 2018, a storage site in Baghdad housing roughly half of the ballots from the May parliamentary election caught fire. [4]

Contents

In October 2018, Adil Abdul-Mahdi was selected as prime minister five months after the elections.

This election would be the last held under the Webster/Sainte-Laguë method of proportional representation, as electoral reforms passed in 2019 amid the 2019–2021 Iraqi protests created a district-based system, and sought to have representatives represent more local voices (as opposed to the entire governorate they were previously elected from), reduce deadlocks resulting from inconclusive coalition talks, as well as stop infighting amongst list members and a myriad of small lists from siphoning off votes and failing to meet the electoral threshold. It would also prevent parties from running on unified lists, which had previously led some to easily sweep all the seats in a particular governorate.

Background

The elections took place six months after a non-binding independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, in which 93% voted in favour of independence. In retaliation, the Iraqi government led by Haider al-Abadi closed Erbil International Airport, seized control of all border crossings between Kurdistan and neighbouring countries and, with the help of the Hashd al-Shaabi militias, militarily seized control of disputed territories, including the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. Nonetheless, Iraqi politicians called for dialogue with the Iraqi Kurdistan government and force them to formally annul the results. [5]

The elections were originally scheduled for September 2017, but were delayed by six months due to the civil war with the Islamic State which ended in December 2017 with the recapture of their remaining territories. The largest Sunni Arab majority coalition, the Muttahidoon (Uniters for Reform), called for a further six month's delay to allow displaced voters to return to their homes. [6] A Sunni Arab MP described holding the elections at this time as a "military coup against the political process". [7] However, the Supreme Court ruled that delaying the elections would be unconstitutional. [8]

Electoral system

Members of the Council of Representatives are elected through the open list form of party-list proportional representation, using the 18 governorates of Iraq as the constituencies. The counting system uses the modified Sainte-Laguë method with a divisor of 1.7 [9] which is considered as a disadvantage to smaller parties. [10] Eight seats remain reserved for minority groups at the national level: five for Assyrians and one each for Mandaeans, Yazidis, and Shabaks. [11] [12] However, the Council of Representatives voted on 11 February 2018, to add an extra seat for minorities, in the Wasit Governorate for Feyli Kurds, making the total number of parliamentarians equal to 329.[ citation needed ]

In January, the Supreme Court ruled that the representation for Yazidis should be increased, although it is unclear whether this change will be implemented in time for these elections. [13]

International voting

Holding Iraqi parliamentary elections in Tehran Holding Iraqi parliamentary elections in Tehran 02.jpg
Holding Iraqi parliamentary elections in Tehran

The Independent High Electoral Commission announced that Iraqis living outside of Iraq can vote in any of the 130 voting stations that were set up in 21 countries. 18 of the stations were in the United States, 15 in Sweden, 15 in Turkey, 14 in Iran, 13 in Jordan, 8 in the United Kingdom, 8 in Australia, 7 in Germany, 7 in Canada, 5 in Egypt, 4 in Denmark, 2 in Lebanon, and one each in France, Syria, Finland, Belgium, Austria, Norway, and New Zealand. [14]

Election day

Iraqi president Fuad Masum shows his inked finger after casting a ballot at the central polling station in the Green Zone of Baghdad on 12 May Iraqi parliamentary election, 12 May 2018 - Governmental Center for Elections in the Green Zone, Baghdad 17.jpg
Iraqi president Fuad Masum shows his inked finger after casting a ballot at the central polling station in the Green Zone of Baghdad on 12 May

A curfew was declared by prime minister Al-Abadi from midnight Friday to 7 pm Saturday in all governorates except Baghdad, where the curfew started at noon Friday. [15] A 24-hour closure of all airports and other border crossing was also implemented. The Iraqi airspace was open later on the day as well as the lifting of the curfew. [16] Election day in Iraq was extremely successful from a security aspect, as no attacks were registered anywhere in the country. [17]

Seat allocation

Seats are allocated to governorates as follows:

GovernorateSeatsWomenminorities
Anbar 154
Babil 174
Baghdad 71172
Basra 256
Dohuk 1231
Dhi Qar 195
Diyala 144
Erbil 1641
Karbala 113
Kirkuk 1331
Maysan 103
Muthanna 72
Najaf 123
Nineveh 3483
Al-Qadisiyyah 113
Saladin 123
Sulaymaniyah 185
Wasit 1231
Total329839

Source: [18]

Campaign

Supporters of Sadr's alliance in Liberation Square, Baghdad celebrating after a successful election campaign The joy of the supporters of various Iraqi parties after the parliamentary elections 06.jpg
Supporters of Sadr's alliance in Liberation Square, Baghdad celebrating after a successful election campaign

A total of 6,904 candidates participated in the elections, representing parties: [19] [20]

GovernorateNumber of Candidates
Anbar 383
Babil 338
Baghdad 1,985
Basra 522
Duhok 115
Dhi Qar 279
Diyala 259
Erbil 173
Karbala 197
Kirkuk 291
Maysan 105
Muthanna 102
Najaf 244
Nineveh 907
Al-Qadisiyyah 191
Saladin 332
Sulaymaniyah 211
Wasit 180
Minorities90
Total6,904

Alliances

As of 26 December 2017, a total of 204 parties had registered to contest the elections. [21] The deadline for registering coalitions was 11 January 2018. [22] A total of 27 coalitions were registered by the deadline, grouping 143 political parties, with registered parties not part of a coalition also free to contest separately. [23]

The ruling State of Law Coalition, which won the last election in 2014 with 92 seats, contested the election with two separate coalitions. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi entered the election as head of a coalition called "Victory" (a reference to the victory over Daesh); his predecessor, Vice President Nouri al-Maliki, headed the State of Law list. [24] [25] Members of the Dawa Party, which they both come from, were free to support either list. [26]

Leading members of the Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces), mainly Shiite Arab militias who fought alongside the Iraqi army to defeat Daesh from 2014 to 2017, formed an alliance to contest the election. The Fatah Alliance included the Badr Organisation, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Kata'ib Hezbollah and Kata'ib al-Imam Ali—all key components of the Hashd. The Badr Organisation, headed by Hadi Al-Amiri, which had 22 seats, was previously part of the ruling State of Law Coalition from which it announced its withdrawal in December 2017. [27] [28] The Fatah Alliance agreed to run jointly with al-Abadi's Nasr al-Iraq (Victory of Iraq) list, but the agreement fell apart after only 24 hours, reportedly over Abadi's conditions. [29] [30]

Ammar al-Hakim, the leader of the Citizen Alliance, the third largest bloc in parliament, announced in July 2017 that he was leaving the veteran Shiite Islamist party, the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq -– which he had led since the death of his father, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim –- and forming a new "non-Islamic national movement" called the National Wisdom Movement (al-Hikma). All but five of the 29 MPs from the Citizens Alliance joined Al-Hikma. [31] The remaining members of the Citizen Alliance joined the Fatah Alliance. [32]

Muqtada al-Sadr announced a joint list with the Iraqi Communist Party, called the Alliance towards Reforms. This built on previous collaboration with the Communists since 2016, when they held joint protests in Baghdad against corruption and sectarianism in government. [22] [33]

Kurdistan Region

Within the Kurdish parties, there had been significant changes since the previous election with the death of both Jalal Talabani, the long-time leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the second largest party, and the opposition leader Nawshirwan Mustafa. In September 2017, Barham Salih, a former prime minister of Iraqi Kurdistan and deputy leader of the PUK, announced that he was leaving the party and forming a new opposition party—the Coalition for Democracy and Justice. The party was seen to have the potential to change the Kurdish political landscape. He said he hoped to gather all the other opposition parties, including Gorran and Komal, to challenge the governing KDP–PUK alliance. [34] The three parties formed a coalition called Nishtiman (Homeland) to run in the elections. [22] The ruling KDP–PUK alliance have agreed to run again as a single list and all the Kurdish parties in Kirkuk have discussed running as a single list. [35] However, the KDP announced they would boycott elections in Kirkuk and other areas they described as "under military occupation". [36]

Sunni-majority areas

Within the Sunni Arab parties, the main Uniters for Reform Coalition (Muttahidoon), led by Osama al-Nujaifi, which won 23 seats in 2014, is running again, although the Iraqi Islamic Party, led by Speaker of Parliament Salim Jabouri, has left this coalition to join up with former prime minister Ayad Allawi's Al-Wataniya and Salah al-Mutlak's Al-Arabiya. The combined list was called Al-Wataniya. Other parties as well have left the Muttahidoon coalition including the al-Hal Party and formed various alliances in the name of the provinces they ran in, such as Salahuddin Our Identity in Saladin Governorate, and Anbar Our Identity in Al Anbar Governorate and Baghdad Alliance in Baghdad. [37] [ citation needed ]

Civil parties

Within the nonsectarian parties who aim to establish a civil state, the main alliance formed is the Civilized Alliance, [38] [39] led by Faiq Al Sheikh Ali, which currently has 4 seats. The alliance consists of four liberal, non-sectarian, national parties, the People's Party for Reform, the Al-Etifak National Party, the National Civil Movement and Iraq's National Movement, and includes a number of independent figures. The Civil Democratic Alliance are also running in the elections as another major civil party. [40]

Christian parties

Of the 329 seats in parliament, five are reserved for the country's Christian minority. One reserved seat is allotted for each of five governorates: Baghdad, Duhok, Erbil, Kirkuk and Nineveh. [41] At the time of voting, only about 200,000 Christians remained in the country. [42]

Attacks

In early May 2018, ISIL claimed to have assassinated Faruq Zarzur al-Juburi, a candidate in the Iraqi elections. The attack reportedly took place in Mosul, outside al-Juburi's house. [43] This was later on proven to be false; due to a family dispute, the candidate was killed by his son. [44]

On election day, a roadside bomb in Kirkuk killed six members of Tribal Mobilization (ar) (a pro-government Sunni tribal force) and injured three police officers. [45]

One Iraqi border guard was killed by a bomb in the outskirts of Khanaqin in Diyala on 13 May. [46]

Two offices linked to Muqtada al-Sadr in Maysan were bombed on 15 May but there were no casualties since both offices were empty at the time. [47] [48] It is still unclear whether the attacks were a response to the parliamentary gains in the election made by Sadr's coalition. [49]

On 16 May, a polling station in Kirkuk was reportedly under siege by gunmen pressuring them to change the results after the PUK was indicated to have won the province. [50]

Results

After the High Electoral Commission announced the results, there were claims of widespread fraud linked to the electronic counting of votes. The Council of Representatives held an emergency session and passed an amendment to the electoral law that cancelled the votes of internally-displaced and overseas voters and mandated a full manual recount for all other votes.

The Commission appealed to the Supreme Court. In a ruling on 21 June, the court upheld the full manual recount but struck down the cancellation of internally-displaced and overseas voters. [51] The final results were released on 9 August, with only minor changes affecting five candidates and two parties. [52]

PartyVotes%Seats
Alliance Towards Reforms 1,500,83214.4754
Fatah Alliance 1,367,56113.1848
Victory Alliance 1,136,42510.9542
Kurdistan Democratic Party 883,9238.5225
State of Law Coalition 724,9576.9925
Al-Wataniya 626,6386.0421
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 619,6945.9718
National Wisdom Movement 576,8065.5619
Iraqi Decision Alliance367,9393.5514
Gorran Movement 201,6841.945
New Generation Movement 185,2601.794
Anbar is Our Identity144,1821.396
Coalition of Competencies for Change141,0021.362
Eradaa Movement 138,3351.333
Coalition for Democracy and Justice 123,1841.192
Kurdistan Islamic Union 104,2571.002
Civilized Alliance 99,5050.962
Baghdad Alliance 97,7470.943
Kurdistan Islamic Group 92,2450.892
Arab Alliance of Kirkuk84,1020.813
Nineveh Is Our Identity83,1020.803
Turkmen Front of Kirkuk79,6940.773
National Fortress Coalition77,6240.753
Solidarity77,0140.740
Civil Democratic Alliance 71,8390.691
Banners of Benevolence64,7270.622
National Party of the Masses54,1350.522
The Passing50,2430.482
Democratic Approach37,0350.361
Babylon Movement 33,1770.322
Civic Party32,4960.311
Saladin Is Our Identity31,9940.311
Construction and Reform30,9160.300
Diyala Challenge26,3390.250
Assembly of the Men of Iraq25,8370.251
Iraq's Land22,3750.220
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 20,0750.191
Rafidain List 19,2570.191
Iraqis Gathered for Change18,9620.180
Chaldean List16,1030.161
National Movement of the Majority14,8470.140
Nishtiman Coalition14,1180.140
Thaar Allah Islamic Party11,6980.110
Yazidi Democratic Party11,1410.110
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union10,6900.100
Sons of the Two Rivers10,6660.100
People's Parliament Assembly9,4710.090
National Federal Party8,9150.090
Iraqi Salvation Council8,6690.080
Bab Al-Arab8,1550.080
Nation of Supporters of Truth7,5940.070
Shabak Free Movement6,9780.070
Al-Feyli Front6,9170.070
National Democratic Party6,8490.070
Kurdistan Social Democratic Party 6,1510.060
Yazidi Progress Party6,2940.061
Country List5,7350.060
National Tribal Movement in Iraq5,6480.050
Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party4,7470.050
Syriac Assembly Movement 4,2510.040
Free Euphrates3,9480.040
Al-Daae Party3,8500.040
Communist Party of Kurdistan – Iraq 3,3870.030
Feyli Union Gathering3,3560.030
Yazidi Movement for Reform and Progress 3,3070.030
Trust Party3,2760.030
Iraqi Feyli Coalition3,2370.030
Iraqi Democratic Front2,4890.020
Righteous Front2,3380.020
National Certainty Party1,2770.010
Independent85,3120.823
Total10,374,533100.00329
Registered voters/turnout23,140,739
Source: [53]

By governorate

Anbar Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Anbar is Our Identity144,18235.576
Al-Wataniya 63,07615.563
Iraqi Decision Alliance58,57614.452
The Passing50,24312.392
Victory Alliance 46,51311.472
Alliance Towards Reforms 7,6841.900
Iraqi Salvation Council6,5221.610
Solidarity6,1641.520
Free Euphrates3,9480.970
Iraqis Gathered for Change3,4870.860
Civilized Alliance 3,2730.810
Banners of Benevolence3,2230.800
Coalition of Competencies for Change1,9030.470
National Wisdom Movement 1,5060.370
Fatah Alliance 1,4300.350
Babylon Movement 7660.190
New Generation Movement 7520.190
Independent4220.100
National Tribal Movement in Iraq3720.090
Independent2030.050
Righteous Front1710.040
Rafidain List 1580.040
Independent1500.040
Sons of the Two Rivers1300.030
Chaldean List1220.030
Independent1070.030
Independent670.020
Independent650.020
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union550.010
Independent460.010
Syriac Assembly Movement 340.010
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 300.010
Total405,380100.0015
Registered voters/turnout1,027,474
Babylon Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Fatah Alliance 132,42122.524
Alliance Towards Reforms 123,00120.924
Victory Alliance 88,75315.093
National Wisdom Movement 75,63712.863
State of Law Coalition 61,72610.502
Coalition of Competencies for Change33,6205.721
Eradaa Movement 23,4513.990
Al-Wataniya 17,2642.940
National Movement of the Majority14,8472.520
Solidarity5,5420.940
Civilized Alliance 4,8400.820
Babylon Movement 1,2540.210
Rafidain List 1,0690.180
Independent7710.130
Independent5840.100
Independent4540.080
Sons of the Two Rivers4460.080
Independent4310.070
Independent3900.070
Chaldean List3450.060
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 3380.060
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union3290.060
Syriac Assembly Movement 2720.050
Al-Daae Party2180.040
Total588,003100.0017
Registered voters/turnout1,193,512
Baghdad Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Alliance Towards Reforms 466,13723.3317
Fatah Alliance 264,01113.2110
State of Law Coalition 236,37411.839
Al-Wataniya 220,45711.038
Victory Alliance 216,18510.828
National Wisdom Movement 100,0585.014
Iraqi Decision Alliance99,8665.004
Baghdad Alliance 97,7474.893
Banners of Benevolence50,7832.542
Civilized Alliance 35,1481.761
Civil Democratic Alliance 33,1161.661
Civic Party32,4961.631
Eradaa Movement 27,5501.381
Coalition of Competencies for Change21,9031.100
Solidarity20,5881.030
People's Parliament Assembly9,4710.470
National Democratic Party6,8490.340
Iraqis Gathered for Change5,5760.280
New Generation Movement 5,3740.270
Babylon Movement (Christian Seat)4,7100.241
Al-Feyli Front4,5490.230
Rafidain List 4,3950.220
Construction and Reform3,6920.180
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 3,4620.170
Trust Party3,2760.160
Independent (Mandaean Seat)2,9040.151
Chaldean List2,5350.130
Sons of the Two Rivers2,2370.110
Iraqi Salvation Council2,1470.110
National Tribal Movement in Iraq1,9970.100
Al-Daae Party1,7660.090
Independent1,6740.080
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union1,3480.070
Independent1,2670.060
Independent1,1850.060
Righteous Front1,0440.050
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 9360.050
Independent9350.050
Independent9080.050
Independent4280.020
Independent4260.020
Syriac Assembly Movement 4050.020
Total1,997,915100.0071
Registered voters/turnout5,480,661
Basra Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Fatah Alliance 151,61622.426
Alliance Towards Reforms 121,10317.915
Victory Alliance 108,14315.995
State of Law Coalition 94,56113.984
National Wisdom Movement 57,3158.482
Assembly of the Men of Iraq25,8373.821
Eradaa Movement 23,8973.531
Al-Wataniya 23,2743.441
Construction and Reform17,8362.640
Civil Democratic Alliance 11,9751.770
Thaar Allah Islamic Party11,6981.730
Civilized Alliance 8,0021.180
Coalition of Competencies for Change7,3991.090
Independent2,3670.350
Babylon Movement 2,0040.300
Independent1,2890.190
Independent1,1020.160
Chaldean List1,0170.150
Independent9700.140
Independent8210.120
Independent7670.110
Sons of the Two Rivers6090.090
Independent5960.090
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union4800.070
Rafidain List 4760.070
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 4750.070
Independent3410.050
Syriac Assembly Movement 1930.030
Total676,163100.0025
Registered voters/turnout1,786,330
Dhi Qar Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Alliance Towards Reforms 157,76328.566
Fatah Alliance 118,99121.545
State of Law Coalition 83,78915.173
Victory Alliance 81,57514.773
National Wisdom Movement 56,36110.202
Eradaa Movement 20,0243.630
Al-Wataniya 13,5772.460
Coalition of Competencies for Change7,1421.290
Civil Democratic Alliance 3,5160.640
Civilized Alliance 3,2320.590
Babylon Movement 9930.180
Independent9060.160
Independent8260.150
Independent7020.130
Independent4900.090
Sons of the Two Rivers4690.080
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union3680.070
Chaldean List3600.070
Rafidain List 2910.050
Independent2720.050
Independent2530.050
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 1960.040
Independent1430.030
Syriac Assembly Movement 1240.020
Total552,363100.0019
Registered voters/turnout1,253,036
Diyala Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Fatah Alliance 108,60120.193
Iraqi Decision Alliance103,62519.273
Al-Wataniya 84,21315.663
Alliance Towards Reforms 53,92310.032
Victory Alliance 38,6907.191
National Wisdom Movement 29,0905.411
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 27,4165.101
Diyala Challenge26,3394.900
State of Law Coalition 20,1533.750
Solidarity11,9292.220
Kurdistan Democratic Party 10,3261.920
Civil Democratic Alliance 5,1230.950
New Generation Movement 3,4710.650
Country List2,5740.480
Civilized Alliance 1,4590.270
Al-Daae Party1,3800.260
Righteous Front1,1230.210
Al-Feyli Front9690.180
Independent8340.160
Babylon Movement 7970.150
Communist Party of Kurdistan – Iraq 7110.130
Iraqis Gathered for Change6550.120
Independent5950.110
National Certainty Party5940.110
Independent5620.100
Chaldean List4680.090
Kurdistan Democratic Party 4550.080
Independent3820.070
Independent3510.070
Sons of the Two Rivers3210.060
Independent2760.050
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union2580.050
Independent1820.030
Total537,845100.0014
Registered voters/turnout1,010,445
Duhok Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Kurdistan Democratic Party 353,17772.3310
Kurdistan Islamic Union 43,4178.891
Coalition for Democracy and Justice 25,6565.250
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 25,5755.240
New Generation Movement 18,0263.690
Rafidain List (Christian Seat)4,0770.831
Gorran Movement 3,7970.780
Kurdistan Islamic Group 3,6270.740
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 3,4830.710
Babylon Movement 1,3720.280
Kurdistan Social Democratic Party 1,2560.260
Sons of the Two Rivers1,1960.240
Victory Alliance 1,0200.210
Chaldean List6310.130
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union5460.110
Independent3040.060
Independent2800.060
Independent2650.050
Independent1870.040
Independent1800.040
Independent990.020
Independent940.020
Syriac Assembly Movement 410.010
Total488,306100.0012
Registered voters/turnout716,300
Erbil Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Kurdistan Democratic Party 321,83350.108
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 79,72712.412
New Generation Movement 70,84811.032
Coalition for Democracy and Justice 50,5617.871
Gorran Movement 40,9146.371
Kurdistan Islamic Group 36,8555.741
Kurdistan Islamic Union 24,5643.820
Iraqi Democratic Front2,4890.390
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union2,3290.360
Kurdistan Democratic Party 2,0230.310
Chaldean List (Christian Seat)1,5880.251
Babylon Movement 1,5200.240
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 1,2130.190
Victory Alliance 9190.140
Sons of the Two Rivers8200.130
Al-Wataniya 6790.110
Rafidain List 5550.090
Independent4660.070
National Tribal Movement in Iraq4620.070
Independent4400.070
Independent4180.070
Independent4100.060
Independent2270.040
Independent2020.030
Independent1470.020
Syriac Assembly Movement 1410.020
Independent870.010
Total642,437100.0016
Registered voters/turnout1,123,219
Karbala Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Fatah Alliance 76,67925.213
Alliance Towards Reforms 74,82024.603
Victory Alliance 52,67417.322
State of Law Coalition 39,92713.122
National Wisdom Movement 20,3886.701
Coalition of Competencies for Change12,2614.030
Al-Wataniya 7,6462.510
Civilized Alliance 6,2362.050
New Generation Movement 3,6081.190
Construction and Reform2,2670.750
Civil Democratic Alliance 2,0730.680
Babylon Movement 1,7660.580
Chaldean List6350.210
Independent5590.180
Independent3590.120
Independent3440.110
Sons of the Two Rivers3160.100
Rafidain List 3090.100
Independent2990.100
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 2200.070
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union1920.060
Independent1740.060
Al-Daae Party1530.050
Independent1250.040
Syriac Assembly Movement 1060.030
Independent720.020
Total304,208100.0011
Registered voters/turnout721,416
Kirkuk Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 183,28337.826
Arab Alliance of Kirkuk84,10217.353
Turkmen Front of Kirkuk79,69416.443
Victory Alliance 24,3285.020
Fatah Alliance 18,4273.800
Al-Wataniya 14,9793.090
Nishtiman Coalition14,1182.910
New Generation Movement 13,0962.700
Solidarity10,6212.190
Bab Al-Arab8,1551.680
Kurdistan Democratic Party 7,2431.490
Chaldean List4,8641.000
Kurdistan Islamic Union 4,6310.960
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council (Christian Seat)3,8100.791
Banners of Benevolence3,0880.640
National Wisdom Movement 2,3860.490
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union2,1480.440
Babylon Movement 1,1180.230
Rafidain List 9010.190
Communist Party of Kurdistan – Iraq 8840.180
Coalition of Competencies for Change7000.140
Independent4230.090
Sons of the Two Rivers3350.070
Al-Feyli Front3010.060
Independent2890.060
Independent2330.050
Syriac Assembly Movement 1630.030
Independent1580.030
Independent1400.030
Total484,618100.0013
Registered voters/turnout956,262
Maysan Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Alliance Towards Reforms 134,43042.855
Fatah Alliance 63,83520.352
National Wisdom Movement 40,23712.831
Victory Alliance 36,41211.611
State of Law Coalition 32,21310.271
Al-Wataniya 1,9720.630
New Generation Movement 9520.300
Independent6330.200
Independent5850.190
Babylon Movement 4180.130
Independent3720.120
Independent3190.100
Sons of the Two Rivers2410.080
Independent2210.070
Rafidain List 1950.060
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union1930.060
Independent1910.060
Chaldean List1220.040
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 990.030
Syriac Assembly Movement 480.020
Independent440.010
Total313,732100.0010
Registered voters/turnout711,585
Muthanna Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Alliance Towards Reforms 71,05830.992
Fatah Alliance 46,36320.222
Victory Alliance 35,71215.571
National Wisdom Movement 35,68515.561
State of Law Coalition 31,05113.541
Eradaa Movement 3,7591.640
Babylon Movement 1,4920.650
Al-Wataniya 1,1130.490
Construction and Reform9200.400
Independent3320.140
Independent3160.140
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union2770.120
Sons of the Two Rivers2550.110
Independent2310.100
Independent1610.070
Independent1220.050
Rafidain List 1140.050
Chaldean List780.030
Independent770.030
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 760.030
Independent660.030
Syriac Assembly Movement 510.020
Total229,309100.007
Registered voters/turnout489,763
Najaf Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Alliance Towards Reforms 92,21924.584
Fatah Alliance 83,07022.143
Victory Alliance 71,97119.193
National Wisdom Movement 38,16310.171
State of Law Coalition 37,0579.881
Eradaa Movement 14,8833.970
Coalition of Competencies for Change7,8152.080
Nation of Supporters of Truth7,5942.020
Civilized Alliance 6,0411.610
Al-Wataniya 4,7221.260
Civil Democratic Alliance 3,1040.830
Construction and Reform1,9030.510
New Generation Movement 1,1630.310
Iraqis Gathered for Change1,0810.290
Babylon Movement 8220.220
Independent5680.150
Chaldean List5310.140
Independent3500.090
Sons of the Two Rivers3440.090
Independent3090.080
Independent2420.060
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 2250.060
Rafidain List 2070.060
Independent1880.050
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union1690.050
Independent1520.040
Al-Daae Party1070.030
Independent730.020
Syriac Assembly Movement 690.020
Total375,142100.0012
Registered voters/turnout895,877
Nineveh Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Victory Alliance 168,11217.897
Kurdistan Democratic Party 139,48914.846
Al-Wataniya 104,02511.074
Nineveh Is Our Identity83,1028.843
Fatah Alliance 75,0437.993
Iraqi Decision Alliance67,1177.143
National Party of the Masses54,1355.762
Democratic Approach37,0353.941
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 32,7893.491
Civilized Alliance 28,5133.031
Solidarity14,9361.590
Independent (Shabak Seat)14,8241.581
National Wisdom Movement 14,8001.570
Yazidi Democratic Party11,1411.190
Babylon Movement (Christian Seat)9,7531.041
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 8,4060.890
Alliance Towards Reforms 8,1820.870
Shabak Free Movement6,9780.740
Yazidi Progress Party (Yazidi Seat)6,2940.671
Independent5,9620.630
Rafidain List 5,8950.630
Civil Democratic Alliance 4,8360.510
Yazidi Freedom and Democracy Party4,7470.510
Coalition of Competencies for Change4,5300.480
Yazidi Movement for Reform and Progress 3,3070.350
Country List3,1610.340
New Generation Movement 2,8270.300
Construction and Reform2,5140.270
Syriac Assembly Movement 2,3390.250
Chaldean List1,7940.190
Sons of the Two Rivers1,6900.180
Iraqis Gathered for Change1,6010.170
Iraq's Land1,5970.170
Kurdistan Islamic Union 1,3480.140
National Tribal Movement in Iraq1,1690.120
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union1,0300.110
Independent9400.100
Independent9250.100
Independent6310.070
Kurdistan Democratic Party 5570.060
Independent4640.050
Independent4280.050
Independent4050.040
Independent3440.040
Total939,715100.0034
Registered voters/turnout2,039,728
Qadisiyyah Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Fatah Alliance 88,89524.803
Alliance Towards Reforms 73,29420.453
Victory Alliance 59,88316.712
State of Law Coalition 42,87811.961
National Wisdom Movement 42,13911.761
Eradaa Movement 24,7716.911
Civil Democratic Alliance 6,5351.820
Al-Wataniya 4,8611.360
Coalition of Competencies for Change4,7061.310
Civilized Alliance 2,7610.770
Construction and Reform1,7840.500
Babylon Movement 1,7640.490
Independent6700.190
Independent5650.160
Independent5610.160
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union5030.140
Sons of the Two Rivers3400.090
Independent2670.070
Chaldean List2540.070
Independent2420.070
Rafidain List 2380.070
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 1810.050
Independent1540.040
Syriac Assembly Movement 1040.030
Independent970.030
Total358,447100.0011
Registered voters/turnout754,425
Saladin Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
National Fortress Coalition77,62419.213
Fatah Alliance 64,26715.912
Al-Wataniya 56,32513.942
Victory Alliance 50,89812.602
Iraqi Decision Alliance38,7559.592
Saladin Is Our Identity31,9947.921
Iraq's Land20,7785.140
Alliance Towards Reforms 15,8163.910
National Wisdom Movement 9,8512.440
National Federal Party8,9152.210
Banners of Benevolence7,6331.890
Solidarity7,2341.790
Iraqis Gathered for Change6,5621.620
Civil Democratic Alliance 1,5610.390
Coalition of Competencies for Change1,2410.310
New Generation Movement 7540.190
State of Law Coalition 6910.170
Babylon Movement 6230.150
Independent5810.140
Independent2610.060
Independent2290.060
Independent2000.050
Sons of the Two Rivers1830.050
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union1590.040
Independent1470.040
Independent1440.040
Chaldean List1430.040
Independent970.020
Rafidain List 960.020
Independent940.020
Al-Daae Party800.020
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 700.020
Syriac Assembly Movement 130.000
Total404,019100.0012
Registered voters/turnout868,440
Sulaymaniyah Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 267,44239.338
Gorran Movement 156,97323.094
New Generation Movement 64,3899.472
Kurdistan Islamic Group 51,7637.611
Kurdistan Democratic Party 48,8207.181
Coalition for Democracy and Justice 46,9676.911
Kurdistan Islamic Union 30,2974.461
Kurdistan Social Democratic Party 4,8950.720
Communist Party of Kurdistan – Iraq 1,7920.260
National Wisdom Movement 1,2620.190
Babylon Movement 1,1480.170
Victory Alliance 8180.120
Independent5470.080
Al-Wataniya 5140.080
Chaldean List4930.070
Independent4550.070
Sons of the Two Rivers3390.050
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 1540.020
Independent1450.020
Independent1420.020
Independent1280.020
Independent1140.020
Independent1060.020
Rafidain List 940.010
Syriac Assembly Movement 860.010
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union830.010
Total679,966100.0018
Registered voters/turnout1,305,211
Wasit Governorate
PartyVotes%Seats
Alliance Towards Reforms 101,40225.543
Fatah Alliance 73,91218.622
Victory Alliance 53,81913.562
National Wisdom Movement 51,92813.082
State of Law Coalition 44,53711.221
Coalition of Competencies for Change37,7829.521
Al-Wataniya 7,9412.000
Independent (Feyli Seat)5,0781.281
Feyli Union Gathering3,3560.850
Iraqi Feyli Coalition3,2370.820
Independent1,7060.430
Independent1,6670.420
National Tribal Movement in Iraq1,6480.420
Independent1,3260.330
Al-Feyli Front1,0980.280
Babylon Movement 8570.220
National Certainty Party6830.170
Independent6080.150
Independent5700.140
Independent5640.140
Independent5140.130
Independent4930.120
Sons of the Two Rivers3950.100
Independent3870.100
Independent3100.080
Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union2230.060
Rafidain List 1870.050
Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council 1630.040
Al-Daae Party1460.040
Independent1420.040
Chaldean List1230.030
Independent1010.030
Syriac Assembly Movement 620.020
Total396,965100.0012
Registered voters/turnout807,055

Government formation

On 8 June 2018, a formal agreement was signed by the leaders of the Alliance towards Reforms (Saairun) and the National Coalition (Wataniya) to become the largest bloc in the Council of Representatives. The bloc is calling for economic reform, consolidation of democracy, and political decentralization. A spokesman for Wataniya said that the agreement would be a prelude to other forces joining the alliance, and that serious talks were underway with the National Wisdom Movement (Hikma), the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Fatah Alliance, and the Decision Alliance (Muttahidoon) as an alliance of these six electoral coalitions would constitute a majority that could form a government. [54]

Al-Sadr announced on 12 June that he had formed an alliance with Fatah, while maintaining an alliance with Al-Wataniya. [55] Prime Minister Abadi later met with Al Sadr on 23 June. [56] Al Sadr afterwards announced he had formed "a cross-sectarian, cross-ethnic alliance" with Abadi and that it would speed up the formation of a new government. [56] Abadi also announced that the new alliance between his Victory Alliance's and Al Sadr's Alliance towards Reforms "is not in contrast to any other alliances either of the two lists have previously entered into with other blocs, rather, it flows in the same direction and same principles." [56]

The final results of the election were announced on 9 August, starting the process to form the government. [52] Parliament convened on 3 September, but were unable to elect a speaker due to rivalries between two blocs who both claimed to be the largest coalition, entitled to nominate the prime minister. Al-Abadi presented an alliance with Saairun, Wataniya, Hikma and other smaller lists who between then held a majority of seats. However, Fatah also claimed to have a majority, based on an alliance with State of Law and with members of Abadi's coalition who had defected. [57]

Two weeks later parliament reconvened and elected a speaker in a secret ballot, with candidates from each of the rival blocs. Muhammad al-Halbusi, a Sunni Arab (as per the Iraqi tradition of muḥāṣaṣah) but backed by Fatah was elected. [58]

At the same time, violent protests occurred in Basra and other cities in the south over polluted water—which had hospitalised tens of thousands of people—and the lack of reliable electricity. Religious leaders called for a new prime minister who hadn't been in government before. Abadi announced on 13 September 2018 that he would respect this call and not run for a second term as prime minister. [59]

The vote for the president took place on 2 October. Previously, the president had always been a member of the second-largest Kurdish party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, under an agreement with the Kurdistan Democratic Party whereby the KDP would be president of Iraqi Kurdistan. However, the KDP fielded a separate candidate, Fuad Hussein, insisting that they had the right to the Presidency as the largest party. Both candidates went to a vote in the parliament, with the PUK's Barham Salih winning. He immediately nominated independent Shi'ite Adil Abdul-Mahdi, a former oil minister seen as acceptable to all parties and to both Iran and the United States, as prime minister-designate. [60]

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