In preparation for a pivotal parliamentary election, Iraqi citizens are set to cast their votes amid significant regional tensions.

The vote commences on Sunday with polling for members of the security forces and displaced individuals residing in camps, followed by the general election on Tuesday.

The outcome of this election will be instrumental in determining whether Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani can serve a second term.

Taking place against the backdrop of escalating fears of another conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as potential Israeli or US strikes on Iran-backed groups within Iraq, Baghdad seeks to maintain a delicate balance in its relations with both Tehran and Washington amidst increasing pressure from the Trump administration regarding the presence of Iran-linked armed groups.

This election marks the seventh since the 2003 US-led invasion that led to the downfall of longtime strongman ruler Saddam Hussein.

Following his ousting, Iraq experienced years of bloody civil war, marked by the rise of extreme groups such as Daesh.

Although violence has subsided in recent years, concerns now focus on unemployment and inadequate public services, including frequent power cuts despite the country's energy wealth.

Under the electoral law, 25 percent of the parliament's 329 seats are reserved for women, while nine seats are allocated to religious minorities.

Convention dictates that the speaker of Parliament is always a Sunni, the prime minister is Shiite, and the president is a Kurd.

Voter turnout has steadily declined in recent elections; however, only 21.4 million out of 32 million eligible voters have updated their information and obtained voter cards.

In contrast to past elections, polling stations will not be available outside of Iraq.

A total of 7,744 candidates are vying for seats, primarily from sectarian-aligned parties and some independents.

Prominent players include various Shiite blocs led by former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, cleric Ammar Al-Hakim, and armed group-linked parties, as well as Sunni factions and the two main Kurdish parties.

One notable absentee is Muqtada Al-Sadr's Sadrist Movement, which is boycotting the election.

Al-Sadr's bloc secured the most seats in the 2021 election but withdrew from negotiations to form a government due to disagreements with rival Shiite parties.

The usually vibrant Sadr City, home to roughly 40 percent of Baghdad's population, has seen almost no campaign posters or banners.

Widespread allegations of corruption and vote-buying have been reported ahead of the election, leading to the disqualification of 848 candidates for reasons including insults to religious rituals or members of the armed forces.

Concerns about political violence have also been raised, with a candidate being assassinated in the run-up to the election.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani, supported by pro-Iran parties but seeking to balance relations with both Tehran and Washington, has positioned himself as a pragmatist focused on improving public services.

While he enjoys relative stability during his first term, securing a second one will be challenging.

Previous elections in Iraq have seen the bloc winning the most seats not necessarily imposing its preferred candidate.

The election's outcome will depend on various factors, including disagreements within Al-Sudani's coalition and increasing pressure from the US to control Iran-linked militias.

Additionally, the fate of the Popular Mobilization Forces remains a contentious issue.