Voters in Iraq began casting their ballots on Tuesday in a parliamentary election to choose a new 329-member Council of Representatives. Polling stations across the country will close at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT). The coalition to which Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani belongs is expected to win the most seats but will not obtain an absolute majority. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is seeking a second term. More than 7,700 candidates are contesting the elections, with a quarter of the seats reserved for women. The electoral commission plans to announce initial results within 24 hours of polling stations closing. The process will be monitored by international observers from the United Nations and the Arab League.
