Iraq Elections: Early Voting for Security & Displaced Begins
- Early voting commenced in Iraq on Sunday,November 9,2025,for members of the Iraqi security forces adn internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in camps.
- Approximately 1.3 million members of the army and security personnel, along with around 26,000 displaced individuals, are eligible to participate in this early voting process.
- A total of 7,744 candidates are vying for seats in the upcoming parliamentary election.
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Iraq Holds Early Voting Ahead of Parliamentary Elections
Table of Contents
By Sertac Aktan with AP
Overview of Early Voting
Early voting commenced in Iraq on Sunday,November 9,2025,for members of the Iraqi security forces adn internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing in camps. This precedes the main parliamentary election scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Approximately 1.3 million members of the army and security personnel, along with around 26,000 displaced individuals, are eligible to participate in this early voting process.
Contestants and Political Landscape
A total of 7,744 candidates are vying for seats in the upcoming parliamentary election. A significant portion of these candidates are affiliated with political parties that largely represent sectarian interests.
Concerns regarding the influence of armed groups, particularly the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), on the electoral process have surfaced. One militiaman, speaking anonymously after voting in baghdad, alluded to potential manipulation, stating, “PMF,” without specifying which political list he supported. Several armed groups within the PMF have associated political parties participating in the elections.
Background: The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)
The Popular Mobilization forces (PMF),also known as the Hashd al-Shaabi,are a predominantly Shia paramilitary organization formed in 2014 in response to the rise of ISIS. Initially composed of volunteer fighters, the PMF played a significant role in defeating ISIS in Iraq. Though, the PMF has also been