Iran’s Embassy in Iraq released a statement saying the border crossings will be closed at 12 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, until 12 a.m. on Sunday.

The embassy called on the tourists to either delay or advance their trips as the border gates will be closed during the election day, NRT reported.

The Iraqi parliamentary elections are set to be held on Saturday next week. Around 7,000 candidates are competing to win the 329 seats in the Council of Representatives.

A total of 24 million Iraqis are eligible to cast their votes to elect members of parliament, who will in turn elect the Iraqi President and Prime Minister.

The parliamentary election will be the first general election since Iraq’s victory over Islamic State in December last year.

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