Millions of Iraqis head to the polls in vote that will shape next four years

BAGHDAD – Polls opened across Iraq at 7 a.m. Tuesday, launching the general voting phase of the 2025 parliamentary elections under the supervision of the Independent High Electoral Commission and tight security measures.

The commission said 20,063,773 voters are eligible to cast ballots at 8,703 polling centers comprising 39,285 voting stations nationwide. Voting is scheduled to continue until 6 p.m., when the electronic systems will close.

Hassan Hadi Zayer, a member of the commission’s media team, said turnout is usually lower in the early hours but is expected to rise later in the day. He added that the distribution of voter cards was still underway. “The commission deployed teams at registration centers to continue distributing cards until the end of voting hours, and those who have not yet received theirs should go to these centers to collect them,” he told the state-run channel.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani cast his ballot in Baghdad and described the process as calm and orderly. “The 2025 parliamentary elections are taking place in a secure and stable atmosphere,” he said at a press conference. “We fulfilled our commitment in the government program to hold elections, and we ensured the presence of international observers in the parliamentary vote.”

Al-Sudani said “the government paid great attention to the peaceful transfer of power, and holding elections on time confirms this principle.” He added that “the citizen chooses responsibly and consciously who represents them in parliament.”

In the Kurdistan Region, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani voted at a polling station inside the Rotana Hotel in Erbil. “This election is one of the most important in Iraq,” he told reporters. Barzani called on citizens of the Kurdistan Region “to feel their responsibility today and head to the ballot boxes,” expressing hope that “these elections will mark the beginning of a new phase for Iraq.”

He added, “The Kurdistan Region must be strong in Baghdad,” and said, “We do not reject dialogue with anyone.”

Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also voted in the Pirman area of Erbil. “It is the people’s decision day. I hope citizens can vote freely and peacefully according to their wishes, and that they elect patriotic and loyal representatives to defend their rights and constitutional entitlements,” he said.

He described the election as “an important one,” expressing hope that “people will decide today, away from all pressure, because today’s decision will determine the path and governance style for the next four years.”

Barzani added, “We hope the commission handles the entire process with integrity until the end,” and said, “I wish success to everyone and hope all citizens vote today.”

Tuesday’s general vote follows Sunday’s special voting, when more than 1.3 million security personnel and 26,000 displaced persons were eligible to cast ballots. The commission reported turnout of 82.52 percent in the special vote, with more than 235,000 voters not participating. Sulaymaniyah recorded the highest participation at 98.16 percent, while Baghdad–Rusafa saw the lowest at 70.37 percent.