Peshmerga forces wait in line to cast their votes in Erbil during early voting for the Iraqi parliamentary elections on November 9, 2025. Photo: Blind T. Abdullah/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Early voting in Iraq saw a high turnout on Sunday as security forces and displaced persons cast their ballots ahead of Tuesday’s general election. In the Kurdistan Region, participation rates soared past 95 percent in some provinces, while inching close to 90 percent in others, according to figures obtained by Rudaw.
Polling stations opened at 7 am and closed at 6 pm local time.
Rudaw learned that voter turnout in the Kurdistan Region’s provinces reached 97.17 percent in Erbil, 95.18 percent in the eastern Sulaimani province, and 88.75 percent in the northern Duhok province.
Iraqi security officials and Kurdish Peshmerga commanders described the process as peaceful, well-organized and historically significant.
Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji, director of the Media and Moral Guidance at Iraq’s defense ministry, told Rudaw that the day’s operations were proceeding smoothly.
“There is a high level of organization in the entry and exit procedures. There are no armed individuals outside the election center,” he said, adding that they “have not recorded any violations.”
The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in the afternoon reported that voter turnout crossed the 80 percent mark.
In the Kurdistan Region, Peshmerga commanders described the day as a milestone for Kurdish participation in Iraq’s political process.
Major General Aziz Waisi, Commander of the Zeravani Peshmerga Command, called it “historic.”
“I believe that it would be a turning point in the history of Iraq because there are a lot of challenges. We hope this process succeeds,” he said.
Another senior Peshmerga commander, Major General Mansour Barzani highlighted the Peshmerga’s continued commitment to defending both the Kurdistan Region and its political rights.
“When the Kurdistan Region needed the Peshmerga for defense, the Peshmerga were always at the forefront. And when it needs the vote of the Peshmerga, the Peshmerga are once again pioneers and ready to participate,” Barzani told Rudaw, adding that their vote is important to achieve “the rights of the Kurdistan Region that have been violated in the Iraqi constitution.”
Meanwhile, Major General Sirwan Barzani, high-ranking Peshmerga commander, expressed hope that the next Iraqi parliament would “implement the constitution” and that the Kurds would be “returning [to Baghdad] stronger this time.” He said that if the constitution is implemented, the issues of the Peshmerga “will be resolved,” noting that as part of Iraq’s security forces, their “budget, salaries, training, and weapons should be provided from there, which unfortunately none of these have been done so far.”
From Baghdad, Iraqi officers echoed calls for reform and civic participation.
Colonel Alaa al-Aidani from the Iraqi defense ministry urged fellow servicemen to take part in shaping the country’s future.
“We call on all security personnel and the officers to head to the ballot boxes for the sake of change,” he said, noting that change and reform “could be achieved via the ballot boxes.”
The Iraqi interior ministry said it has implemented a comprehensive security plan to protect polling centers throughout the early and general voting periods. Abbas al-Bahadli, the ministry’s spokesman, told Rudaw, “The Directorate of Control and Response has prepared the plan in coordination with the Independent High Electoral Commission.”
The general vote is scheduled for Tuesday, with more than 21 million Iraqis eligible to participate. Over 7,700 candidates are vying for 329 parliamentary seats, including nine reserved for minority groups.
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