The Election Commission said in a statement on Monday morning that the turnout in the elections was 41 percent, based on 94 percent of the ballot boxes opened.

Compared to the previous general elections, the turnout rate seems to have decreased even further. According to official data, the turnout was 44.52 percent in the 2018 elections. Opponents think that the turnout rate was inflated in official statements.

The Election Commission stated that 9,077,779 people voted. Election turnout in Baghdad ranges from 31 to 34 percent.

Around 25 million voters across the country were called to the polls to choose between 3200 candidates.

Viola von Cramon, head of the European Union Observation Mission, made a statement as the vote counting continued on Sunday, and underlined that turnout was very low.

“This is a clear political message, and we can only hope it gets heard by the political elite,” Cramon said.

According to political observers, people were not convinced that the elections would bring real change. There is severe inequality in the country due to warfare and endemic corruption. A significant portion of the population lives in poverty. Hundreds of billions of dollars have evaporated in recent years due to corruption.

While it is predicted that the traditional blocs will retain their representation in the parliament, alliances will have to be formed if there is no clear victory. Pre-election polls showed that the wing loyal to the Shiite leader Muktada Sadr was the favourite.