The tactical force of the Federal Intelligence and Investigation Agency began its tasks in the Iraqi capital Baghdad to secure the elections. The Iraqi News Agency reported in a statement from the Security Media Cell that "to secure the electoral process, the tactical force of the Federal Intelligence and Investigation Agency in the Ministry of Interior has begun to deploy in the capital Baghdad." It added that it "started its duties according to a precise plan to secure this electoral event scheduled for the tenth of October, 2021."
A responsible security source revealed that decisions had been made to prevent the movement of vehicles and motorcycles and to close restaurants and malls during the general elections in Iraq, while also specifying the date for the application of the decision to close provincial entrances. The source stated in a special interview with the Iraqi News Agency that "it was decided to close the entrances to the provinces and prevent the movement of individuals and vehicles from 1:00 AM on Sunday, October 10 until 6:00 AM on the following Monday, and to prohibit the movement of motorcycles and small vehicles (three-wheeled vehicles) and vehicles carrying more than 2 tons of various types within the cities from 1:00 AM on Sunday, October 10 until 6:00 AM on the following Monday."
The document included a decision to close all restaurants and malls, with exceptions for pharmacies, grocery stores, fruit and vegetable markets, and bakeries, while stating that those who violate these orders would be detained. It also stipulated the continued prohibition of public gatherings until 7:00 AM on October 13.
For its part, the Popular Mobilization Forces announced the raising of their alert status to level (C) in preparation for the election day. The Popular Mobilization Forces stated in a statement that "with the approach of the voting date, the deployed forces of the Popular Mobilization have begun preemptive operations in coordination with joint operations in various areas of Diyala, Nineveh, Salah al-Din, Kirkuk, Al-Anbar, as well as in the Baghdad belt, resulting in the arrest of many terrorists, dismantling terrorist networks, and taking control of their hideouts."
