Manual, electronic vote counts in Kurdistan election ‘match perfectly,’ says electoral commission

ERBIL – The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission reported a ‘perfect’ 100% match between manual and electronic vote counts from the Kurdistan Region’s special voting two days ago.

Automated polling devices generated detailed reports of the votes cast for each ballot box, and a subsequent manual count verified the accuracy, according to the commission.

Fayadh Al-Bijari, deputy chairman of the Board of Commissioners, told state-run Al-Iraqiya that today’s general voting process, which began at 7 a.m., followed a successful special voting day on Friday. “Friday’s special voting was conducted with full transparency, and the commission’s performance was highly praised by political blocs and observers. The match between manual and electronic counts was 100%, with a flawless 100% transmission rate,” Al-Bijari said.

He added that this election marked the first use of electronic devices and biometric voter registration in the Kurdistan Region, calling it “a significant achievement for the people of Kurdistan and all of Iraq.” Al-Bijari expressed hope for transparent and satisfactory results throughout the process.

Voting officially concluded at 6 p.m. on Sunday, with ballot boxes sealed at all polling stations.

Earlier in the day, the commission reported a 31% voter turnout by noon for the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections.