The voter turnout of security forces personnel in the special voting round reached 60%, while the turnout of displaced individuals stood at 38%, as of midday on the first day of voting, Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission announced on Sunday.

It is worth noting that electoral silence went into effect in Iraq yesterday at 7:00 am local time.

At 7 am local time, #Iraq entered its electoral silence ahead of parliamentary elections set to conclude on Tuesday, November 11.#AlMayadeen English’s correspondent, Siraj Ghassani, reported that the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has finalized all preparations,… pic.twitter.com/kGUksosUs6

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In its preliminary report, the Independent High Electoral Commission stated that the process witnessed a wide turnout from members of the security forces across various provinces, confirming that "the special voting is proceeding smoothly and according to the approved timelines," the Iraqi News Agency reported.

In an exclusive interview for #AlMayadeen, Adnan al-Arabi, candidate for the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, addresses the potential impact of the Sadrist Bloc’s boycott on #Iraq’s upcoming 2025 parliamentary elections.

Al-Arabi stresses that participation in elections… pic.twitter.com/16acYt9ILN

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The special voting process for the 2025 parliamentary elections was launched on Sunday morning amid tight security measures and meticulous organization by the Commission to ensure the electoral process proceeds smoothly.

Who can vote under the special voting process?

The special voting includes members of the security and military forces across all their formations, in addition to displaced persons previously registered with the Commission. They are set to cast their votes two days ahead of the general election date.

The Commission's Legal Advisor, Hassan Salman, told Sputnik that all legal, administrative, and logistical operations had run very smoothly, noting that "on-the-ground indicators reflect the Commission's efficient and well-organized management of the process."

He explained that the preparations were based on precise legal and organizational foundations, which contributed to the high turnout since the early morning hours, adding that this performance represents a first step toward the success of the general vote and ensuring a fair and transparent election that reflects the will of the voters.

809 voting centers

On his part, the head of the Commission's media team, Emad Jameel, stated that the special voting process is proceeding with a high degree of discipline and organization across all provinces, clarifying that the Commission has designated 809 polling centers with more than 4,137 electoral stations.

He added that the displaced persons' voting is proceeding smoothly through 27 centers and 97 polling stations, 99 percent of which are in the Dohuk province under tight security supervision. He further noted that the turnout is high and the queues are orderly thanks to the coordination between the Commission and the security forces.

Jameel also confirmed that the electronic devices are operating with high efficiency and without any recorded breaches or malfunctions, pointing out that the Commission is implementing strict procedures to ensure transparency, including the use of facial recognition technology to facilitate the participation of voters who do not have fingerprints.

Since the early morning hours, the special voting centers have witnessed a wide turnout from members of the security forces affiliated with the interior and defense ministries, amid precise organization and high fluidity throughout all stages of the electoral process. According to the Electoral Commission, the special voting process will continue until 6:00 pm, with the participation of 1,313,890 military voters.

Iraq kicks off 2025 parliamentary elections

The 2025 parliamentary elections in Iraq are scheduled for November 11, with 329 seats in the Council of Representatives up for grabs. The elections come amid widespread frustration over corruption, unemployment, and inadequate public services.

Nearly 7,900 candidates are competing under dozens of political parties and coalitions. This election could test the durability of Iraq’s sectarian power-sharing system and offer a window for emerging political movements to gain ground.

Major factors shaping the vote include the Popular Mobilization Forces, foreign intervention, and urgent economic and security challenges.

The election’s success depends not only on turnout but also on whether the process is perceived as fair and credible. While officials emphasize readiness, public confidence in political institutions remains low.