Turnout reaches 60% in Iraq’s special voting, commission says

BAGHDAD — The Independent High Electoral Commission said Sunday that turnout in Iraq’s special voting for parliamentary elections reached 60 percent by midday, according to its official mid-day report for Nov. 9, 2025.

The report showed that 805,941 out of 1,313,980 eligible security personnel had cast their ballots by noon across 4,501 polling stations throughout Iraq. The commission said the voting process was proceeding smoothly and in coordination with security forces.

The highest voter turnout rates in Iraq’s special voting were recorded in Sulaymaniyah (78%), followed by Erbil (77%), Duhok (76%), Diyala (69%), and Nineveh (68%). The Independent High Electoral Commission said participation in these governorates was strong, reflecting broad engagement among security personnel and displaced voters as polling proceeded smoothly throughout the day.

The lowest turnout rates were reported in Baghdad-Rusafa (47%), Najaf (48%), Muthanna (51%), Maysan (52%), and Basra (52%).

Hasan Hadi, a member of the commission’s media team, said the voting process is being conducted under complete secrecy and transparency. “No one can know whom the voter casts their ballot for, as the voting process is carried out in full confidentiality,” he said.

Hadi explained that the mid-day report released on Sunday contains only general data. “The mid-term report for the special vote, issued today, shows no names of individuals, only numbers related to the number of voters, the type of polling station, and the nature of the vote. These are general figures,” he said.

He also addressed rumors regarding the announcement of results. “It was circulated that results will be announced 24 hours after the special voting, but this is not correct,” he said. “The preliminary results will be announced 24 hours after the end of the general voting and will include both the general and special voting results together.”

Commission officials said polling operations for members of the security forces and displaced voters began at 7 a.m. and will continue until 6 p.m. across all governorates. The commission confirmed that all polling centers were equipped with the necessary materials and managed by trained staff to ensure transparency and order.

Sunday’s special voting marks the first phase of Iraq’s 2025 parliamentary elections, ahead of the general vote scheduled for Nov. 11.