Iraq’s anti-corruption body activates hotline for electoral violations

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity has designated the toll-free number 5080 to receive reports of alleged electoral violations, including vote-buying, ahead of the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections.

In a statement Tuesday, Commission President Mohammed Ali Al-Lami said, “The number (5080) has been allocated to receive information about suspected breaches of the electoral process and allegations of vote-buying.”

Al-Lami also said political party leaders and founders must submit financial disclosure statements before running. “We are working to enhance public trust in the neutrality of public service and prevent the misuse of state resources in electoral campaigning,” he said.

The move comes amid heightened concerns over fraud. Last week, election expert Hogir Chato warned that vote-buying in Iraq is becoming increasingly open, coercive, and widespread. “There is no buying of election cards; rather, it is vote buying,” he said. “A card is useless without its holder and cannot be used for voting on its own.”

Candidates have previously used biometric voter ID cards to commit fraud — voting in others’ names, suppressing turnout by confiscating cards, or using them to verify illicit vote-buying deals. In some cases, these practices are allegedly coordinated with election officials.

In late April, security forces in Nineveh arrested a man accused of trafficking more than 1,100 voter ID cards, according to the judiciary’s media office.

The Independent High Electoral Commission has since formed monitoring committees and warned that anyone caught buying or selling biometric cards or using state resources for campaigning could face criminal charges and disqualification.