Yesterday, the Independent High Electoral Commission closed the polling stations after the end of the special voting in the Iraqi elections, a day designated for members of the security and military institutions from the Ministries of Defense and Interior. 

Today, Al Mayadeen's delegate to Iraq stated that "the country entered electoral silence on the eve of the general polling tomorrow [Sunday]," noting that "about 90 international observers supervised the special vote yesterday."

Our delegate added that "The crowds will be more party-oriented in the general election, which may raise the turnout tomorrow," explaining that "The political forces were satisfied with the electoral programs they presented in the last period."

Delegates to different regions report calmness and stability

Al Mayadeen's delegate to Sulaimaniyah said that "Iraqis are heading towards greater participation in universal suffrage tomorrow."

As for Al Mayadeen's delegate to Najaf, he confirmed that "The city of Najaf has entered the stage of electoral silence... the situation is calm in the province," adding that "transporting special ballot boxes to sort them is relatively easy," and that "it is expected that participation in the polls tomorrow will be good."

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Baghdad pointed out that "The approach to participation in the general vote is different from that in the special vote yesterday."

The Supreme Security Committee for Elections in Iraq called on all candidates and political blocs to adhere to complete electoral silence. 

The head of the committee, Lieutenant-General Abdul-Amir Al-Shammari, said that the security sub-committees will start reporting every violation of this silence to the High Elections Commission. He also confirmed that the special voting did not record any violations, except for some complaints of irregularities that are being investigated.

What is electoral silence?

The electoral silence that precedes the electoral process is a period specified by law before every presidential or parliamentary election, during which political advertising is prohibited, and during which all independent and coalition parties and lists are prohibited from engaging in any activity within the framework of their electoral campaign.

It also strictly forbids candidates to carry out any process that falls within promotion and propaganda to win the favor of voters.

Violation of the electoral silence process entails criminal penalties, which may amount to the overthrow of the list that violates the decree, as its purpose is to balance the competing parties and create a calm atmosphere that allows the voter to make the right decision.