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1 1 (October 1, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/goveepl0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional SResearch Service informing the Iegisiative debate since 1914 ___________________ Iraq's October 10, 2021, Election October 1, 2021 With Demands for Change Unmet, Iraqis Vote Under New System On October 10, 2021, Iraqis are set to vote in an early election to determine the makeup of the unicameral Council of Representatives (COR), Iraq's national legislature. The COR elects Iraq's president and approves the prime minister's program and cabinet nominees. The election comes two years after the start of mass protests that convulsed Iraqi society and ousted the government formed after Iraq's 2018 national election. The election result may shape Iraqi policy on issues of congressional concern, including U. S. - Iraq security cooperation, Iran's influence in Iraq, Iraq's foreign policy, human rights, protection of minorities, and prospects for economic and governance reform. The 2019 protest movement's demands for systemic political, administrative, and economic change have not been realized, and smaller sporadic protests with varying demands have continued in 2020 and 2021. Iraq weathered economic and fiscal crises in 2020 linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and low oil revenues, and the state's dependency on oil revenue persists. Experts wam that without structural change, crises may recur if oil prices fall again. State forces and Iran-backed militias killed hundreds of protestors and have assassinated and kidnaped activists. Perpetrators of violence continue to operate with impunity, abetted by the failure of authorities to prosecute human rights violators. Leading parties partake in and tolerate pervasive corruption, despite its cumulative immiserating effects on Iraq's growing population. Under a new voting law finalized in 2020, Iraq adopted a single nontransferable vote system (one vote, one candidate, multiple seats per constituency). Voters will select 320 candidates across 83 local constituencies and nine candidates for seats reserved for minority groups. At least 25% of the COR seats are reserved for women, with one seat per constituency designated for female candidates. Prior elections saw voters choose party lists in province-wide constituencies. The provincial list system favored larger parties and enabled them to seat loyalists who might not have attracted support as individual candidates. Iraq's new electoral system could enable independent and locally accountable candidates to prevail, but few analysts expect fundamental change to result fromthe election. While fewer candidates registered, a higher proportion are independent candidates, reflecting new political and tribal dynamics. Iraqi officials and clerics are encouraging voters to participate, but most analysts expect low turnout, reflecting some boycotts and Iraqis' lack of confidence that participation will produce change. Pro-Iran groups may have lost some support by suppressing protests, but Iraqi analysts expect they will use resources and intimidation to maintain their influence. Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN11769 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Membersand Committeesof Congress

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