The ballot boxes for the Iraqi parliamentary elections closed on Sunday evening, as scheduled at 6 PM local time, as announced by the High Electoral Commission of Iraq earlier that day. The Commission's chairman, Jalil Adnan, stated in a press conference that there was no intention to extend the voting time.
Furthermore, the Iraqi Security Media announced that the election process went smoothly and in a safe environment. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that security would remain deployed even after voting concluded until the results were delivered. The High Security Committee for the elections announced today that it issued "strict orders" to security forces in the capital, Baghdad, and other provinces to tighten security measures around polling stations, registration centers, and commission warehouses, noting that security forces are authorized to take maximum security measures around these locations, according to the Iraqi News Agency.
Earlier on Sunday, the Commission indicated that public participation in voting was increasing. Hassan Salman, the director of media and communication at the Commission, stated to the Iraqi News Agency (WAA) that "the election process began at 7 AM and started with high flow" without any disruptions.
He added that "the process was conducted without any obstructions or circumstances that would disrupt the electoral process". He pointed out that "all security and logistical aspects were proceeding very smoothly", mentioning that "voter turnout was relatively good and began to escalate gradually". He further noted, "We believe that voter turnout will peak in the coming hours."
Additionally, the Deputy Secretary-General and Head of the Arab League observation mission for the Iraqi parliamentary elections, Said Abu Ali, revealed on Sunday that the League's teams recorded increasing turnout rates in the final hours of the general voting process, expecting it to rise in the last two hours.
Abu Ali stated to WAA: "We sensed a sense of satisfaction among the observers regarding the proceedings of the electoral process, and there is a consensus on the availability of a safe environment and proper standards for the electoral process," adding that "turnout rates are increasing at polling centers according to the observation teams deployed across all cities in Iraq." It is noteworthy that the general voting process to elect a new House of Representatives for four years began on Sunday at 7 AM local time.
