Iraq concluded on Sunday the early voting for security personnel and displaced people ahead of next week's national parliamentary elections with a high turnout, the country's Independent High Electoral Commission announced.
The early voting took place to ensure that the army, police and other security agencies are on duty during election day on Tuesday to maintain security across the country.
A total of 7,768 candidates – 2,248 women and 5,520 men – are competing for 329 parliament seats in the nationwide election. Some 25 per cent of the seats are reserved for women, while nine are held for religious minorities.
According to IHEC, 1.314 million security personnel and more than 26,500 displaced voters are eligible to take part.
Late on Sunday, IHEC announced that a the voter turnout was 82.42 per cent. The results from Sunday's voting will be announced together with the national parliamentary elections.
Polls opened at 7am local time on Sunday and closed at 6pm across 809 polling centres for security forces. There were also 27 stations serving voters in displacement camps.
The security forces lined up outside the polling centres after being transported by buses or military vehicles. Some wore the Iraqi flag on a scarf, while other held the flag in their hands. After voting, some raised their hands in a victory sign with purple-stained fingers, the indelible ink indicating who has voted in a bid to prevent fraud.
The outcome of Sunday's voting could have far-reaching implications for the wider ballot. Votes cast by security forces could offer a boost to political groups that have influence or connections within the security and military establishment, or candidates that utilise nationalistic and security-focused rhetoric to appeal to the public.
Among security forces taking part are personnel affiliated to the Popular Mobilisation Forces, an umbrella group of mainly Iran-backed Shiite militias that have fought ISIS in recent years and grown more powerful since the extremist group's defeat in 2017.
The PMF maintains direct ties to influential political parties and lawmakers. They largely operate outside Iraq's military command and control system, making them more susceptible to manipulation or exploitation during election season.
As of mid-Sunday, the electoral commission said the process "is going smoothly" with the registered turnout at around 60 per cent among security forces, and 38 per cent among displaced people.
Calls to vote
The commission has launched an awareness campaign to encourage security forces personnel to participate.
“Just as you have achieved security through your sacrifices, you will now shape Iraq's future,” says a speaker in one video published by the commission. “Participate today and draw the future of tomorrow.”
Politicians have made similar appeals for security forces to take part, with lawmaker Soud Al Saiedi – a candidate for the Hoquq Movement, a political group backed by powerful Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah – calling on the PMF to vote for him.
Mr Al Saiedi said in his campaign pitch that he had “succeeded in obtaining approvals to waive the debts and loans of the PMF, including martyrs, the wounded and their families”.
“This is a duty we have undertaken to defend you and your rights,” he said in a video on social media.
Electoral silence
Iraq on Saturday entered an electoral silence period, suspending all campaign activity to create a calm environment for voters and to focus media coverage on raising awareness of the electoral process.
Since Thursday, Iraqi security forces have been on high alert nationwide, with many deployed outside polling centres and at checkpoints along major streets.
UN special envoy to Iraq Mohamed Al Hassan visited the headquarters of the electoral commission on Saturday along with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid. They reviewed the “preparations set for holding free, fair and independent parliamentary elections”, according to a statement issued by the UN mission.
Mr Al Hassan expressed “confidence” in the work of polling authorities and called on them to “observe the highest degree of integrity and independence to safeguard the security, interests and future of Iraq”.
There is widespread concern among Iraqi officials that there will be a low turnout, with the country's political process struggling to win public confidence. Calls have been issued to boycott the polls, mainly by influential Shiite leader Moqtada Al Sadr, who has millions of supporters.
Mr Al Sadr's supporters in the security forces boycotted the polls, displaying pictures of themselves clutching their leader's photo with the word: "Boycotters".
Turnout in Iraq's 2021 parliamentary election was 43 per cent, lower than the last election in 2018 when it stood at 44.5 per cent.
The UN envoy encouraged Iraqis to “participate effectively in the electoral process with awareness and responsibility”, urging them to “make good choices of candidates – those capable of serving Iraq”.
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Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
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What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
Key products and UAE prices
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With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
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Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
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Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
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Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
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Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
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GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
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Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
Company profile: buybackbazaar.com
Name: buybackbazaar.com
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