Iraq held a parliamentary election on Tuesday under tight security, with 8,703 polling stations open nationwide, though turnout was low in the early hours.

Only 21.4 million of 32 million eligible voters registered, down from 24 million in 2021, and the influential Sadrist Movement boycotted the vote, keeping many supporters home, particularly in Sadr City.

Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani, running for a second term, cast his ballot, emphasizing the importance of peaceful transfer of power, while security forces worked to prevent unrest.

Violence erupted in Kirkuk overnight, leaving two police officers dead amid tensions between rival groups in the ethnically mixed city, ABC News has reported.

Allegations of vote-buying and corruption prompted arrests ahead of the vote, and the election date itself may face legal challenges, as Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council noted the vote was held earlier than constitutionally scheduled.