Over 1.3 million security personnel to vote Sunday in Iraq’s special polling

BAGHDAD — The Independent High Electoral Commission said Saturday that about 1.3 million security personnel and more than 26,000 displaced voters will cast their ballots in Sunday’s special voting ahead of Iraq’s Nov. 11 parliamentary elections.

“The special voting for military personnel will begin on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 7 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m.,” commission spokesperson Jumana Al-Ghalai said in a statement.

She said 1,313,980 members of the security forces are eligible to vote across 809 polling centers and 4,501 polling stations.

Al-Ghalai added that displaced voters will vote during the same hours. “There are 26,538 displaced voters, with 27 polling centers and 97 polling stations designated for them,” she said.

Iraq entered its electoral silence period at 7 a.m. Saturday, suspending all campaign activity to create a calm environment for voters and focus media coverage on voter education. Campaigning, which began Oct. 3, ended today morning with 7,768 candidates contesting seats in the election.

The High Security Committee for Elections confirmed that there will be no curfew or road closures on election day, allowing free movement across the country. Committee head Qais Al-Muhammadawi said the plan aims to maintain security and stability, safeguard airports and border crossings, and protect polling centers and materials in coordination with the electoral commission.

He said security forces will act “with professionalism and neutrality” to ensure the integrity of the vote, marking a departure from previous elections when travel restrictions were imposed nationwide.