PM Sudani hails elections as proof of Iraq’s ‘peaceful transfer of power’

Rudaw

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Carrying out Iraq’s legislative elections within their constitutional timeline reaffirms the “concept of peaceful transfer of power,” Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani said on Tuesday, reiterating his government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s political system. He further urged citizens to turn out in large numbers to the ballot boxes to shape Iraq’s political future.

The premier arrived at his polling station around 7:30 a.m. local time - half an hour after voting began - accompanied by his elderly mother to cast their ballots for the Council of Representatives elections at a polling center in Baghdad’s Karadat Maryam district.

A day earlier, he toured Baghdad’s central Karrada area, meeting with several citizens.


After casting his vote, Prime Minister Sudani congratulated the Iraqi people on what he described as “a democratic celebration and a historic day,” marking the holding of the parliamentary elections.

He praised Iraqis for their sacrifices to ensure that “power and decision-making is transferred to the people so that they can choose their own destiny and political future.

“These elections, held within their constitutional timeline, affirm the concept of the peaceful transfer of power in the new Iraq,” Prime Minister Sudani said, emphasizing that they also highlight “the people’s commitment to this democratic practice, in which citizens, with responsibility and awareness, choose those who represent them in the legislature.”

Importantly, the prime minister underscored his government’s efforts to enhance the political system and consolidate democratic principles, referencing the provincial elections of December 2023 and the Kurdistan Region’s legislative elections in October 2024.

“Today, after completing all necessary preparations for the Independent High Electoral Commission [IHEC], political parties, and candidates, we are conducting the legislative elections in secure and stable conditions marked by integrity, allowing citizens the space to make their choice,” Prime Minister Sudani stated.

He further lauded Iraq’s “heroic” security forces for “countering any attempt to obstruct the political process since 2003,” and for their “great sacrifices” in that regard.

“Today, these security forces continue their path of giving, sacrifice, and selflessness - both through securing the elections nationwide and through their participation in the special voting two days ago, which saw over 82 percent turnout,” the prime minister added, interpreting the high turnout as an “affirmation of the security forces’ commitment to the democratic path.”

Early voting on Sunday saw strong participation as security forces and internally displaced persons (IDPs) cast their ballots ahead of the general election.

The IHEC announced that special voting turnout reached 82.42 percent, with more than 1.1 million security personnel and nearly 27,000 IDPs voting nationwide. The Kurdistan Region’s Sulaimani province recorded the highest turnout at 98.16 percent, followed by Erbil with 97.17 percent and Duhok with 88.75 percent.

More than 21 million Iraqis are eligible to vote in Tuesday’s general election, where over 7,700 candidates are competing for 329 parliamentary seats, including nine reserved for minority groups.

The lead up

In the lead-up to the election, the Iraqi premier told voters on Friday that “these elections are for the people of Iraq, and your vote is the pillar of the democratic process - you are the decision makers.” He urged Iraqis to exercise their right to vote with “freedom, awareness, and responsibility,” driven by their “keenness for Iraq and its future.”

On Saturday, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Prime Minister Sudani chaired a high-level meeting with the Supreme Committee for Election Security, established by Baghdad to safeguard the electoral process and prevent violations.

The meeting - held at the Joint Operations Command headquarters in Baghdad and attended by representatives from the Kurdistan Region - focused on finalizing security and logistical measures in coordination with the IHEC.

The Iraqi premier emphasized the importance of adhering to the constitutional timeline, saying that “the success of the government in holding the elections as planned and on schedule is a significant event for the state.” He added that the elections reaffirm Iraq’s “democratic path and commitment to the peaceful transfer of power.”

He also announced that no curfew would be imposed on election day, directing security forces to “facilitate citizens’ access to polling centers” and ensure “smooth movement.” Prime Minister Sudani stressed the integrity of the process, prohibiting the use of security powers or state resources to influence voting.

With more than 800 international observers monitoring the vote, the Iraqi premier commended the security forces for their sacrifices and called for swift, professional responses to any attempts at “misinformation or questioning of the electoral process” on social media.