Baghdad (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Tomorrow, 15,544,428 Iraqis will go to the polls to choose 275 members of the National Assembly. More than 6,000 polling booths have been set up across the country however some may not open if tension runs too high. The booths should be open from 7am (local time) until 5pm.

More than 70,000 independent observers (including 800 foreigners) belonging to different political and religious factions will participate in monitoring the correctness of voting procedures. No international observer will be allowed access to polling booths in high-risk areas north and west of Baghdad. To prevent that the same person votes twice, the index finger of each voter will be marked with indelible ink to indicate that he has already voted. The minimum voting age is 18 years, and one votes in his province of origin. The final results are not expected before the end of December.

There are some 7,000 candidates grouped in more than 225 political entities and 21 coalitions. One-fourth of the elected candidates must be women. The first task of the new National Assembly will be to elect – with a two-thirds majority – the new president and his two deputies. The presidency council will then have 15 days to name a prime minister, who will form a new government to be put to parliament for approval.

Of the 275 parliamentary seats, 230 have been split between the provinces on a basis of proportional representation. Baghdad has the largest number of seats at 59 and Muthana the fewest with five. An additional 45 seats will be allocated to parties that did not win seats at a governorate level but attained a certain threshold. Any remaining seats will be allocated to those political formations that won the highest votes.

As from today, the international airport of Baghdad and the national borders will be closed for three days and a five-day public holiday will start. The curfew, in force between 10pm and 6am has been extended across the country. Iraqis must go to vote on foot, as the circulation of cars and any other means of transport is forbidden on 15 December in all the cities of the country. Tens of thousands of Iraqi policemen will be mobilized to ensure security, supported by the American rapid reaction forces.