Iraq’s election security committee rules out curfew, road closures on polling day

BAGHDAD — The High Security Committee for Elections said Wednesday that there will be no curfew or road closures on the day of Iraq’s November 11 parliamentary election, ensuring citizens can move freely across the country.

Qais Al-Muhammadawi, head of the committee, told the state newspaper Al-Sabah that “the High Security Committee is working to provide a safe and stable environment in all governorates to ensure smooth movement for voters and vehicles on polling day.”

He said the plan also includes “securing airports and international border crossings to prevent any obstacles to the movement of citizens and international observers.”

Al-Muhammadawi added that coordination between the security committee and the Independent High Electoral Commission “takes place daily and directly, and includes protecting polling centers and securing the transport of sensitive materials such as papers and devices.”

He stressed that security forces “will adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and neutrality to ensure the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.”

In past elections, Iraq enforced travel and movement restrictions on polling day. During the 2021 parliamentary election, authorities closed airports and border crossings, suspended travel between governorates, banned vehicles, and declared the day a public holiday with commercial centers closed. In 2018, the General Directorate of Traffic announced a travel ban between governorates from midnight Friday until the evening of election day, while some local curfews were imposed in certain areas.