Iraq declares public holiday to support post-election logistics

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani directed the suspension of official working hours across all government departments and institutions on Wednesday, excluding entities assigned continuous duties, to facilitate the completion of post-election procedures.

“The decision aims to provide the Independent High Electoral Commission and the security agencies with the necessary time to complete the transfer of ballot boxes and to finalize the evacuation of schools that were used as polling centers,” a statement from Al-Sudani’s media office read.

Voting began across Iraq at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, marking the start of the general balloting phase in the 2025 parliamentary elections, overseen by the Independent High Electoral Commission and conducted under strict security measures.

The IHEC stated that 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.

Special voting for more than 1.3 million security personnel and 26,000 displaced voters took place Sunday.