VOTING STREET PARTIES
Several Iraqi political parties plan to hold street parties on Election Day to mobilize voters - playing music, and giving out free food and tea.
The Shiite religious parties will model their events on religious processions (known here as "moukib") which they hold during holidays – men marching together, chanting prayers lionizing the leading figures in Shiite Islam (Mohammed’s descendants Ali and Hussein), or ritualistically flagellating their backs with chains.
There aren’t expected to be any chains this time, just large prayer group marching to the ballot boxes.
Kurdish and secular parties are also expected to have mobilization events, playing Iraqi national songs and giving out sweets.
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