Elections 2025: 240 polling stations opened late across Iraq, monitors report

Shafaq News – Baghdad

Iraq’s Coalition of National Networks and Organizations for Election Monitoring said that 240 polling stations across the country opened later than scheduled on Tuesday due to a mix of organizational and technical problems.

In a report, the coalition documented 136 polling stations opened before the official start time of 7:00 am, while 173 stations saw the absence of one or more polling staff members. Observers also reported that 181 stations prevented party agents from attending the opening, and 412 stations restricted the presence of independent monitors.

The report further noted that 412 stations failed to publicly conduct or display opening procedures to those present, while 133 stations experienced technical malfunctions with biometric verification and result transmission devices.

The coalition said most of the delays were promptly addressed and did not significantly disrupt the voting process.

Nearly 20 million Iraqis were eligible to vote in Tuesday’s election to choose 329 members of parliament from more than 7,000 candidates representing 37 political coalitions and alliances across the country.

Read more: Iraq’s 2025 poll: +21M voters, new law, fading monitors, and fierce bloc rivalries