Election silence period begins across Iraq

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s electoral silence period began Saturday at 7 a.m., marking the start of a legally mandated pause in campaigning ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections on Tuesday.

The Independent High Electoral Commission said the period prohibits all promotional activities by candidates and political parties aimed at influencing voters. The commission instructed media outlets to suspend campaign coverage and instead focus on “educating voters about the importance of participating in the election.”

According to the commission, the silence period is intended to create “a neutral and calm environment” to help voters make informed choices.

A total of 7,768 candidates are contesting this year’s parliamentary elections. Campaigning began on Oct. 3 and ended on Nov. 8, before the Nov. 11 vote.

The special voting will begin at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9, and will include personnel from the Border Ports Authority, the Federal Ministry of Interior, the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Interior, the Counter-Terrorism Service, the Ministry of Peshmerga, the Ministry of Defense, and the Popular Mobilization Forces.

According to the commission, 1,313,859 voters are eligible for special voting.