IHEC Says It Took All Measures to Ensure Free Electoral Process; Special Voting Turnout Reaches 82%

Peregraf – The special voting phase of Iraq’s 2025 parliamentary elections concluded on Saturday evening, with the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) reporting strong participation among security forces and displaced citizens ahead of the general vote on November 11.

At a press conference, Judge Omar Ahmed, Head of the IHEC Board of Commissioners, said the Commission had taken all necessary measures to ensure a free electoral process, noting that turnout in the special vote reached 82%. He called on citizens and stakeholders to contribute to the success of the elections by adhering to IHEC guidelines.

Polls opened at 7:00 a.m. and closed at 6:00 p.m., after which electronic ballot devices were formally shut down across the country.

Kurdistan Region Registers Highest Turnout

According to IHEC formal data, the Kurdistan Region reported the strongest participation rates nationwide:

• Sulaymaniyah: 98.16%

• Erbil: 97.71%

• Duhok: 91.66%

Election officials said the comparatively lower turnout in Duhok was due to the province’s large population of internally displaced persons (IDPs). While around 26,000 IDPs were registered to vote there, participation among them was significantly lower than among other groups.

According to data provided to Peregraf by IHEC spokesperson Jumana Ghalay, a total of 1,313,908 Iraqis were eligible to take part in Saturday’s special voting. Balloting took place in 809 centers comprising 4,501 polling stations across the country.

In the Kurdistan Region, 270,219 security personnel from the Ministry of Peshmerga and the Ministry of Interior were registered to vote. Nationwide, more than one million security force members were expected to participate.

Additionally, 26,538 IDPs were able to vote at 27 centers equipped with 97 polling stations designated for displaced families.

Halwest Movement Surges in Preliminary Results

According to preliminary special-vote results, the Halwest Movement has emerged as the third-ranking political force in the Kurdistan Region, behind the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), overtaking the New Generation Movement. This represents the most notable shift indicated so far among Kurdistan Region parties.

Nationwide Polls Continue Nov. 11

The ongoing elections will determine the makeup of Iraq’s 329-seat parliament, with 6,896 candidates competing nationwide.

Of these, 302 candidates are contesting races in the Kurdistan Region, which holds 46 parliamentary seats, including two Christian quota seats—one in Erbil and one in Duhok.

General voting for the remainder of the electorate is scheduled for November 11.