Independent High Electoral Commission in Iraq announces key logistical updates

BAGHDAD — The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) of Iraq unveiled a series of major logistical updates in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for November.  

In a statement released Wednesday, IHEC outlined progress on several key fronts, including the number of public polling centers and stations, as well as updates on temporary staffing recruitment for the electoral process.  

Judge Amer al-Husseini, Head of the Electoral Administration, approved the initial deployment plan for polling infrastructure across the country.   

According to the IHEC, Iraq will operate 8,788 public polling centers and 40,819 polling stations nationwide.   

To support the electoral process, IHEC indicated the need for approximately 250,000 temporary polling staff. 

As of the preparation of this report, more than 231,000 individuals have submitted candidacy applications. Additionally, IHEC has extended the voter registry update period by five days, now running through Sunday, 15 June, to ensure broader participation.  

The parliamentary elections, set for 11 November, will determine the 329 members of the Iraqi Council of Representatives. These elected officials will be tasked with electing the President of the Republic and approving the appointment of the Prime Minister.  

Notably, several Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian parties — including the Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union (Huyodo Beth Nahrain Athroyo, HBA) — have called for limiting voting on quota seats to members of their community, aiming to prevent electoral manipulation by outside parties.