Iraq is gearing up for its forthcoming parliamentary elections on Sunday. It is a test of the nation’s strength and unity as the US forces in the country are withdrawing day by day abiding Obama’s “No War” policy. Iraqis must overcome long-prevalent sectarianism and religious and ethnic divides and come together to set up a new democratic government for them. The new 325-seat legislature formed by ballot voting is considered as a major step forward for the blood-stained country. A number of political parties and rival factions have been formed since the 2005 US-dominated elections that spurred an insurgence of violence in the nation. The current government led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will continue to wield power till the new legislature has been completely formed. The latest news update is that some of the current ministers are concerned about losing their jobs. Observers predict that it will be tough to form a stable government because there are a plethora of parties. None of them stand to get a sweeping majority because Iraqi politics has always been fragmented by ethnic and religious sectarianism. Any party that wins the most votes will need the aid and support of others in the form of a coalition. The oldest statesman of Iraqi politics, Adnan Pachachi, also running for the elections says “Sectarianism is cause for concern because there would be a kind of vacuum. It is in everyone’s interest to form a government very soon.” The political campaigning the last few months has been active with rallies, party meetings, posters and TV ads. More than 6200 candidates are contesting the elections. The general say is that the Sunnis, Shiites and the Kurds have to come together to form the new Government. The Iraqiya List, led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is a general favorite for all Iraqis because of the party’s secular policy. Although the Kurds cannot form a majority owing to fewer numbers, they will have a major say in deciding the ruling party. Although the US troops will oversee the elections and provide surveillance, the Pentagon will not have any say in it. The US has lost around 4300 of its troops in the past seven years and soldiers are preparing to leave the country. Meanwhile, updated news is that rebellious Anti-American cleric in hiding, Muqtada al-Sadr made a surprise appearance from Iran and urged his countrymen to stay united and vote for ‘faithful’ Iraqis.