IHEC Reaffirms Commitment to Scheduled Elections

PUKMEDIA

IHEC Spokesperson, Jumana al-Ghalai.

The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has reiterated its constitutional and legal obligation to hold the upcoming elections on schedule, highlighting that the number of newly eligible voters born in 2007 has surpassed one million.

Jumana al-Ghalai, Spokesperson for the IHEC, told the official Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The commission remains constitutionally and legally committed to conducting the elections as planned.”

She outlined the ongoing process of updating the electoral register, noting that the number of new voters born in 2007 had exceeded one million. This process includes the registration of first-time voters, correction of existing data, removal of deceased individuals from the register, and the registration of members of the armed forces, security services, and displaced persons.

Ghalai explained that the commission is currently receiving voters through 1,079 registration centres across Iraq, and is also deploying mobile teams to governmental institutions to raise awareness and provide education on the importance of updating voter records.

She confirmed that the commission is actively refurbishing, preparing, and maintaining electoral equipment to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process. Furthermore, she emphasised that voters whose biometric fingerprints are unclear will still be able to vote using eye and facial recognition technology.

She added that not all voters are required to visit registration centres. Those who already possess a voter card with a personal photograph and whose personal details have not changed may use it as is. The updating process also encompasses inter-governorate transfers and the registration of deaths.

She concluded by affirming that the commission continues its preparations to hold the elections on the date set by the Council of Ministers.

The Board of Commissioners of the IHEC has scheduled the voter registry update process to commence on 25 March 2025, lasting for one month. This process includes new registrations, additions, corrections, changes, deletions, as well as the registration of displaced individuals and members of the security forces.

The IHEC further clarified that voter transfers between governorates and within the same governorate are allowed, except in four governorates: Nineveh, Anbar, Saladin, and Kirkuk. In these areas, no changes or transfers are permitted. Voters who held a ration card issued prior to 9 December 2013 may amend their ration card number accordingly. However, those whose cards were issued after this date are not permitted to do so, in an effort to maintain the demographic composition of these governorates.



PUKMEDIA