Peregraf
The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) of Iraq will commence the renewal of biometric voter registration starting tomorrow, March 25, 2025. The process will continue for one month, concluding on April 25, 2025.
Jumana al-Ghalai, IHEC spokesperson, stated to Peregraf, the renewal process aims to address various electoral issues, including the issuance of voter cards for new registrants, resolving problems related to missing voting cards, fingerprint recognition issues, and other voter-related concerns.
This initiative is part of the preparations for the upcoming sixth session of the Iraqi Parliament elections. While the commission has stated that the elections "must be held before the end of November this year," an official date has yet to be announced.
Al-Ghalai emphasized the legal framework governing the elections, stating, "The current parliamentary session commenced on January 9, 2022, and will conclude on January 9, 2026. According to Election Law No. 12 of 2018, parliamentary elections must take place at least 45 days before the end of the current term."
The determination of the election date rests with the prime minister’s office, which will coordinate with IHEC to set an appropriate schedule.
To bolster electoral preparedness, the Iraqi Parliament approved an extension of IHEC’s mandate during a session on January 13, 2025. The commission’s term has been extended for two years, running from January 7, 2025, to January 6, 2027. This extension, backed by a majority of lawmakers, aims to ensure the commission’s capability to oversee the electoral process amid Iraq’s complex political dynamics.
The previous parliamentary elections, held on October 10, 2021, were early elections prompted by public calls for reform. These elections led to the establishment of the fifth parliamentary term, which began on January 9, 2022.
IHEC’s extended mandate underscores the importance of electoral stability as Iraq approaches a critical transition in its parliamentary cycle.