Iraq’s electoral commission warns of legal action over voter card fraud, misuse of state resources

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission warned Sunday that individuals or groups involved in buying or selling biometric voter cards or misusing state resources for election campaigns could face criminal charges and disqualification from the upcoming parliamentary vote.

In a statement, the commission said such actions constitute electoral crimes punishable by law and that violators — whether voters, candidates, political alliances or parties — will be held accountable.

“The sale or purchase of biometric voter cards or attempts to do so, as well as the exploitation of state resources for electoral purposes, are electoral crimes punishable by law,” the commission said. “In addition to legal measures, the commission will impose further deterrent penalties that may include disqualification of offending candidates and revocation of approval for violating alliances and political parties.”

Iraq is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on Nov. 11.

Candidates have been known to buy voter ID cards to commit election fraud by voting in others’ names, suppressing turnout by holding voters’ cards, or using the cards to confirm illegal vote-buying arrangements. In some cases, fraudulent use of the cards may be coordinated with officials to inflate vote counts using real voter data.

The warning comes as the electoral body continues preparations for the 2025 vote and signals that it is stepping up efforts to safeguard election integrity.

In late April, Iraqi security forces arrested a man in Nineveh governorate on charges of trafficking more than 1,100 voter identification cards, according to the judiciary’s media office. The commission has issued multiple warnings in recent months about card tampering, fraudulent registration practices and abuse of state institutions during the campaign period.