On Saturday, April 20, 2013, Iraq held its first elections since the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Voting took place in 12 of Iraq’s 18 provinces in which over 6,925 candidates competed for 378 seats in provincial councils. The elections had a participation rate of 51% of eligible voters, similar to the turnout rate in the 2009 local elections.
The peaceful procession of the elections has highlighted the tremendous strides that Iraq has taken in developing its own democratic institutions and undertaking the responsibility for the country’s security.