IHEC establishes over 1,000 centers for voter registration and biometric enrollment

Baghdad – INA

The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced on Friday its initiatives to streamline voter data registration, confirming the establishment of over 1,000 centers dedicated to distributing voter cards and facilitating biometric enrollment.

Jumana Al-Ghalai, the IHEC spokesperson, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the commission is committed to advancing its work, with biometric registration and voter card distribution underway at 1,079 electoral centers. She urged newly eligible voters and those previously unregistered to submit their information promptly.

“The commission has adopted the unified national ID system to register citizens’ data, ensuring the voting rights of individuals whose fingerprints were previously unrecognized. Facial recognition technology will be employed in electoral verification devices on polling day,” Al-Ghalai explained.

She highlighted the importance of collaboration, stating, “In every electoral process, IHEC requires the support of various state institutions. We work closely with entities such as the Integrity Commission, Accountability and Justice Commission, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, and others. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has consistently directed these institutions to back the electoral process.”

Al-Ghalai emphasized the necessity of a dedicated electoral budget to ensure the process proceeds smoothly, noting that the prime minister has instructed the Ministry of Finance to coordinate and provide the commission with the financial support needed.