Iraq’s electoral commission adds biometric photo verification in tech and cybersecurity overhaul

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission announced Sunday it is upgrading its operating systems and servers to align with cybersecurity standards, adding biometric photos of voters to the existing fingerprint-based verification process. Special cameras will be installed at polling stations for photo matching.

Walid Khaled Abbas, director of operations at the electoral commission, told the state-run newspaper Al-Sabah, “The upgrades will include server enhancements and the addition of biometric photos for voter verification as an additional criterion. Previously, photos existed on voter cards and verification devices but were not used for matching; the process relied solely on fingerprints. The commission has now decided to incorporate biometric photo verification using specialized cameras at polling stations.”

Abbas said the photo-based approach will benefit voters whose fingerprints fail to register properly due to age, chronic illnesses or other factors. “Biometric photos will serve as a supplementary measure alongside fingerprints, not a replacement,” he added. The commission is also modernizing its software and hardware to meet current technological standards.

During the October 2024 parliamentary elections in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, technical issues with fingerprint recognition devices were reported. Allegations of fraud later surfaced, primarily from the Kurdistan Justice Group, known as Komal, and the National Stance Movement, or Halwest, which won three and four seats respectively. Other parties unhappy with the results echoed similar concerns. Though no substantive evidence of foul play has been forthcoming.

The commission began procuring election devices in 2017 and biometric systems in 2014. Abbas said an inspection company and evaluation committees are overseeing updates to ensure accuracy. “Cybersecurity committees, formed with experts from various ministries and specialized entities, are preparing reports on the performance of election and biometric devices,” he said.

Abbas noted these improvements aim to minimize breaches, guarantee secure and transparent elections, reduce objections and appeals, and deliver faster, more reliable results.

In the 2018 parliamentary elections, Iraq’s Board of Supreme Audit raised concerns about electronic vote-counting machines from South Korean supplier Miru Systems.

“Our goal is to close gaps and achieve the highest level of integrity,” Abbas said, adding that international observers praised Iraq’s electoral management in the 2021 parliamentary elections, the 2023 governorate council elections and the 2024 Kurdistan Region parliamentary polls. He said those events met high standards and exceptional quality.