Education Ministry denies setting date for school closures order ahead of elections

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Education said Sunday that it has not issued any order to suspend classes nationwide ahead of the November 11 parliamentary elections, confirming instead that only schools designated as polling stations will be handed over to the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) this week.

“The ministry has not issued any official decision regarding school closures in preparation for the elections,” ministry spokesperson Karim Al-Sayyid said in a statement. “What is confirmed is that next Wednesday, the ministry will hand over the schools that will serve as polling centers from the 5th to the 13th of this month.”

He added that any decision to suspend classes across Iraq “depends on what will be decided and issued by the Council of Ministers.”

The clarification followed statements by IHEC spokesperson Jumana Al-Ghalai, who said ballot papers have begun distribution to governorate election offices, while biometric cards are being handed out through 1,079 registration centers. “Nearly 2,500,000 cards have been distributed,” she said, noting that card distribution will continue until election day.

Al-Ghalai said schools used as polling stations will be formally received between Nov. 5 and Nov. 13 for installation of surveillance cameras and logistical equipment. “Three cameras will be installed in each polling center and two in every polling station,” she said.

In the Kurdistan Region, the Ministry of Education has already set an election break, announcing that all schools will close from November 6 to November 11 to facilitate polling preparations. Classes are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, Nov. 12, according to a directive signed by Education Minister Alan Hama Saeed.