ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s electoral body on Saturday warned that any violation of the campaign silence, which took effect earlier in the morning, would constitute a legal offense and could result in penalties ranging from financial fines to disqualification from running in the November 11 ballot.
“Election campaigning during the electoral silence period is a legal violation and will subject the perpetrator to penalties,” Nibras Abu Sawda, deputy spokesperson of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), told Rudaw.
Penalties “start with financial fines and may reach disqualification and exclusion, depending on the type of violation,” she explained.
The media has also been instructed to comply with the rules.
“Media outlets are prohibited from broadcasting any election-related coverage for any entities, coalitions, or candidates,” a restriction that will remain in place “until the closing of the last polling station,” the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) said on Thursday.
They must also “refrain from airing materials containing any form of election promotion, whether direct or indirect,” as well as “any material intended to insult” competing candidates or blocs, the CMC added, stating that “any discussion or media content containing a reference for or against any contestant is considered election campaigning.”
Iraq’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for November 11, with special voting set to take place on November 9.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Saturday instructed security agencies to ensure a smooth and accessible vote.
“There will be no curfew on election day and movement should remain smooth and unrestricted,” Sudani said, according to a statement from his office. He directed security forces to facilitate access to polling centers so people can exercise their constitutional right to vote.
The prime minister also warned that any “use of authority or security resources to influence officers or personnel during the special voting process will not be tolerated,” urging security agencies to be ready “to respond swiftly and directly to any misinformation, falsehoods, or attempts to undermine confidence in the electoral process through the media or social platforms.”
According to the IHEC, around 21.4 million eligible voters have renewed their biometric cards, signaling their intention to participate in the vote.
A total of 31 alliances, 38 parties, 23 independent candidates, and 56 quota candidates will compete for 329 parliamentary seats, including nine reserved for minority groups.
More than 7,700 candidates are registered to run, with over 39,000 polling stations set to open across 8,703 centers, in addition to special voting and stations for displaced voters.