Sulaymaniyah governor chairs security meeting to enforce election rules

SULAYMANIYAH — Gov. Haval Abubakr on Wednesday chaired a meeting of Sulaymaniyah’s High Security Committee for Iraq’s parliamentary elections, emphasizing strict adherence to regulations set by the Independent High Electoral Commission and regional authorities, according to a statement from the governorate.

The meeting, which Abubakr led in his capacity as head of the committee, underscored the obligation of all government departments and institutions to follow election-related laws and guidelines issued by Iraq’s electoral commission, the Kurdistan Region’s High Security Committee, and provincial authorities.

The statement said that all candidates, political lists, and participating entities must comply with campaign regulations. Municipal administrations, in coordination with Sulaymaniyah traffic police, will monitor campaign activities, and local authorities will fine any candidates or lists found violating the rules.

The Independent High Electoral Commission will also impose penalties on candidates who use government or religious facilities, or state-owned resources, for campaign purposes. Photographing ballots or bringing mobile phones into polling stations will be prohibited during both early voting and the general election.

A special IHEC unit has been assigned to monitor campaign activity on social media, and violations of media conduct regulations may lead to the disqualification of candidates. Only individuals with official IHEC accreditation will be permitted to observe or visit polling centers.

Iraq’s sixth parliamentary elections are scheduled for Nov. 11, with early voting on Nov. 9.