Shafaq News/ On Friday, theIndependent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in Duhok and Al-Sulaymaniyah affirmedthat the special voting process for the Kurdistan Region Parliament electionsis proceeding “smoothly,” with no violations reported thus far, amid optimismfor a rise in participation rates.
This phase of the election aims to enable groups eligible for special voting,such as internal security forces and Peshmerga, to cast their votes beforegeneral voting begins.
Special Voting in Duhok
Khalid Abbas, the head of the IHEC's office in Duhok, told Shafaq News, "Thespecial voting process began on Friday, at 7:00 AM, with 33 polling stationsopened across various areas of the province, featuring a total of 140 votingbooths."
"The number of voters eligible to participate is 40,895, all of whom areregistered on the special voting lists in Duhok," he clarified.
Abbas further pointed out, "The voting devices are functioning well at allcenters,” noting that “the commission has prepared sufficient backup devices tobe used in case of any unexpected malfunctions at the polling stations.”
Special Voting in Al-Sulaymaniyah
Our correspondent confirmed that “thenumber of voters in Al-Sulaymaniyah province reached 76,661, distributed across57 polling stations, with 276 voting booths allocated.”
New technologies were introduced,such as the biometric card, which is being used for the first time in thehistory of theKurdistan Region's elections, to ensure the integrity ofthe process and prevent tampering with voter records.
"ExcellentOrganization"
In a special statement to ShafaqNews, observer Karzan Mohammed, who is monitoring the election process, said,"The introduction of the biometric card represents a qualitative leap inthe electoral process, as it helps enhance transparency and minimize theopportunities for manipulation to the lowest possible level."
One participant in the specialvoting, who wished to remain anonymous, shared his experience with ourcorrespondent, “I felt that my vote was important and secure. The organizationat the center was excellent, and everything went smoothly, from the securitychecks to casting my vote.”
Another member, who also wished toremain unidentified, told our agency's correspondent, "We are here toserve and protect our citizens, and today we have the opportunity to shape thefuture of the Region through these elections. The introduction of the biometriccard has brought a new level of transparency and trust that we have longawaited."
In this context, Shafaq News'correspondent noted that the IHEC took “a series of stringent security measuresto ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process.”
Mobile phones were prohibited frombeing brought into polling stations to ensure the secrecy of the vote and toprevent manipulation or influence on voters.
Extensive Media Coverage
To ensure accurate and transparent media coverage, the Commission has allocatedfour special centers for journalists in AlSulaymaniyah, enabling reporters andcorrespondents to closely follow the electoral process.
Shafaq News correspondent reported that these centers are equipped with thelatest technology, enabling journalists to access information and accuratelyconvey the electoral process.
In this regard, Bishtwan Jamal, one of the journalists, stated to Shafaq News,"We did not encounter any difficulties in obtaining the necessaryinformation, and there was clear cooperation between the commission and themedia to ensure the flow of information without compromising the privacy andconfidentiality of voters."
Optimism for Increased Participation
Many observers expressed optimism regarding the participation rate in thespecial voting for security forces, especially given “the good organization andstrict security measures.”
Tarza Taha, one of the local monitors, told a Shafaq News correspondent,"It is clear that the meticulous organization witnessed in this processhas a positive impact on voters' morale and their confidence in theelections."
"What we saw today in Al-Sulaymaniyah reflects the security forces' desireto actively participate in shaping the Region's future and their commitment toimplementing all procedures that ensure the integrity of the process," sheremarked.
Moreover, our correspondent affirmed that the electoral process took placeunder “careful international and local monitoring,” with monitoring teamsoverseeing the process since the opening of the centers.
“All instructions issued by the commission were followed precisely, withsecurity forces adhering to the established guidelines. Polling stations werewell-equipped to facilitate smooth voter movement and ensure the implementationof security measures,” he explained.
The correspondent added, “Challenges faced by the Region in recent years havemade this election a critical moment, and the atmosphere we witnessed todayenhances our expectations for increased participation.”
Earlier today, the IHEC openedpolling stations for Peshmerga forces and internal security personnel to casttheir votes, noting that the voting process began at 7:00 AM in 165 pollingstations and will conclude at 6:00 PM, as scheduled by the IHEC.
A total of 1,091 candidates fromboth genders are competing for 100 seats in the Region, 5 of which are reservedfor minority groups, reduced from 11 seats by a decision from the FederalSupreme Court (the highest judicial authority in Iraq).
The number of seats allocated forwomen, according to the election law, must be at least 30.
The total number of voters is2,899,578, of whom 215,960 are eligible to vote in the special election. Theremaining 2,683,618 voters will participate in the general election nextSunday.
The legislative elections in theKurdistan Region have been postponed four times over the past two years due topolitical disputes, having originally been scheduled for 2022.
Since its establishment in the early1990s, the Region has witnessed five parliamentary terms, and this marks thesixth one.