Election officials count votes as part of the electoral process. (Photo: 964media)
Iraq’s electoral commission outlines complaint procedures for voters and candidates
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission said Saturday that voters, candidates, and representatives of political parties or coalitions may file complaints about voting or manual counting within the legally defined timeframe using official forms available at polling centers and commission offices.
Commission spokesperson Jumana Al-Ghalai said, “The voter, candidate, or agent of a party or political coalition has the right to submit a complaint related to the voting or manual counting process.” Complaints must be filed within two days — starting from the opening of polls and ending at the close of the following business day — using official forms available at polling centers for both general and special voting, as well as at governorate and regional offices, the national headquarters, and the central auditing center.
Each complaint must be written and signed by the filer, including their name, address, and contact information. The complainant must have directly witnessed the incident and obtain confirmation from the polling station manager or center coordinator. However, the commission’s board may exercise discretion in cases lacking confirmation.
Al-Ghalai said classification committees, chaired by members of the Board of Commissioners and supported by legal and technical staff, will review complaints “accurately and swiftly” according to their seriousness.
Complaints are divided into three categories: “yellow” complaints that fail to meet procedural requirements and are dismissed immediately; “green” complaints concerning violations such as campaigning on election day or staff misconduct that do not affect results; and “red” complaints involving serious violations that could alter election outcomes, which receive top priority.
The commission earlier confirmed that more than 1.3 million security personnel and 26,000 displaced voters will participate in Sunday’s special voting ahead of the Nov. 11 parliamentary elections. Iraq entered its electoral silence period Saturday morning, halting campaign activity to allow voters to make their choices.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has instructed security forces to keep roads open and avoid curfews on election day to ensure free movement for voters and observers.