Monitors report +1000 irregularities, violent incidents on Iraq’s election day

Shafaq News – Baghdad

Iraq’s Coalition of National Networks and Organizations for Election Monitoring recorded on Tuesday widespread irregularities and multiple incidents of violence during the country’s general parliamentary elections, according to a statement.

By 5 p.m., the coalition documented 24 violent incidents, including brawls, assaults, and cases of weapon use against voters, polling staff, and observers. It also reported 98 cases of intimidation, 228 restrictions on observer movement, and 165 violations involving voters bringing mobile phones into polling stations to photograph ballots.

Monitors further logged 17 shootings or assaults in or near polling sites, 20 violations related to election materials, and 17 instances of government or party officials entering polling stations and interacting with voters.

Additional observations included 69 cases of group voting, 186 unauthorized individuals inside stations, 203 removals of monitors or party agents, and 117 instances of voting without official identification. The coalition also noted 50 suspensions of polling and 37 cases of repeated voting.

While the watchdog said the process remained “generally stable,” it cited inconsistent performance among Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) staff and continued campaign activity near some centers, including the distribution of voter cards by candidates.

Polling officially closed at 6 p.m., concluding Iraq’s sixth general parliamentary elections since 2003. The IHEC has begun manual and electronic counting of ballots, with preliminary results expected within hours.

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Earlier in the day, the commission reported nationwide turnout at 23% by midday.