Iraq votes in first elections since ISIL defeat

[Griff]

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/iraq-votes-elections-isil-defeat-180512052850374.html

[proboardslol]

I've never really learned much about what post-Saddam Iraqi life was like. Other than in DAESH controlled areas, did things become more religiously conservative (since Ba'athist dictators often enforce secularism in order to suppress religious conflict)? Are there noticeable difference in political rights/free speech? I assume you can criticize the PM and not get thrown in jail like under Saddam. Obviously, Iraqis have had the right to vote for over a decade now

[Griff]

important infographs as well:

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/1750/025e2829-06c4-4e7f-b544-b72d348b589d/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/1750/f60b4f04-cccb-4360-b69b-da245aa24506/image.png

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/1750/8d320196-1bc1-4ba3-b8d5-72ad7eb8c7ea/image.png

[proboardslol]

Interesting that they reserve a certain % of seats for women only.

[Griff]

https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/iraq-elections-2018-live-updates-1.729551

for live updates

[Griff]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-election-indications/iraq-pm-abadi-appears-ahead-in-poll-sadr-strong-sources-idUSKCN1IE091

[Griff]

SEAT RESULTS ARE HERE:

https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/1750/39c0fd8d-e801-4f8f-815b-ba1bb702f2dc/image.png

MUQTADA AL-SADR'S PARTY HAS WON

GUNMEN IN KIRKUK ATTEMPTING TO HARASS ELECTION WORKERS:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/gunmen-lay-siege-kirkuk-voting-stations-block-count-180516144737909.html