Iraqis vote in a parliamentary election marked by tight security and a major political boycott

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqis headed to the polls on Tuesday to vote in a parliamentary election marked by tight security and a boycott by a major political bloc.

A total of 8,703 polling stations were open across the country for the general election. Members of the security forces and displaced people living in camps cast their ballots in early voting on Sunday.

Turnout was sparse in the early hours Tuesday at polling stations visited by Associated Press journalists.

Only 21.4 million out of a total of 32 million eligible voters updated their information and obtained voter cards ahead of the polling, a decrease from the last parliamentary election in 2021, when about 24 million voters registered.

The election is taking place against the backdrop of major shifts in the region over the past two