Iraqis headed to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new parliament in the sixth legislative elections since 2003.

The Independent High Electoral Commission announced that voter turnout reached 23.9 percent by midday.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said the voting process was taking place in a “safe and stable environment.”

More than 7,700 candidates are competing for 329 seats amid a boycott by the Sadrist movement and warnings that the elections may not significantly alter the current political landscape.