On November 11, 2025, Iraqis across the country headed to the polls in a parliamentary election that many observers are already calling one of the most consequential—and challenging—in recent memory. Marked by heightened security, a significant political boycott, and a determined push for democratic stability, the election unfolded against a complex backdrop of regional turmoil and domestic skepticism.
The day began early, with voting officially opening at 7:00 a.m. local time, as confirmed by the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and reported by Shafaq News. More than 8,700 polling stations were set up across all 18 provinces, ready to welcome over 21 million registered voters. The logistics alone were staggering: nearly 7,750 candidates, including more than 2,200 women, competed for 329 coveted seats in Iraq’s legislature, according to IraqiNews.com.
Security was a top priority. Over 185,000 security personnel were deployed to safeguard the process, with armored vehicles and heavily armed soldiers seen particularly in sensitive areas like Sadr City, a stronghold of the Sadrist Movement. The day’s voting was the general phase, but it followed a special early voting session on November 9, during which about 1.3 million members of the security forces and displaced persons cast their ballots. The early vote saw an impressive turnout of 82.4 percent, as noted by both Rudaw and IraqiNews.com.
Yet, for all the efforts to ensure a smooth and inclusive process, the election was shadowed by a major boycott. The influential Sadrist Movement, led by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, sat out this year’s vote. Al-Sadr’s bloc had won the largest number of seats in the 2021 election but withdrew from parliament after failed negotiations to form a government. His call for followers to stay home had a dramatic impact, especially in Sadr City, where Associated Press journalists found polling stations nearly deserted and shops shuttered. A large banner featuring al-Sadr in military attire and the words, “My people in Sadr City are boycotting,” set the tone. "The Sadrist boycott has had a major impact," polling station director Ahmed al-Mousawi told the Associated Press. "In previous elections, there used to be long lines from the early morning hours, but today the difference is dramatic."
Sabih Dakhel, a 54-year-old voter, echoed this sentiment: "We were able to vote freely today, but the Sadrist boycott has deeply affected participation. Sadr City feels almost like a lockdown because of Muqtada al-Sadr’s call for his followers to stay home." The sense of isolation was palpable, with posters of slain Sadr loyalists lining the streets and a heavy security presence maintaining order.
Elsewhere in Iraq, turnout told a different story. Despite the boycott and widespread cynicism about political change, the IHEC reported a national turnout rate of about 55 percent—an increase from the record low of roughly 43 percent in the 2021 elections, as highlighted by Rudaw. Out of approximately 20 million eligible voters, more than 12 million participated, including those who voted early. The commission emphasized that the voting process ran smoothly, with polling stations closing automatically at 6:00 p.m. thanks to pre-programmed electronic voting systems.
Still, not all was calm. In the ethnically mixed northern city of Kirkuk, violence erupted on the eve of the election. According to the Associated Press, a brawl between rival supporters escalated into gunfire, leaving two police officers dead and two civilians injured. Fourteen people were arrested in connection with the incident. By the time polls opened, calm had returned, but the episode underscored the persistent volatility in regions marked by ethnic and political tensions.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who is seeking a second term, cast his ballot in Baghdad alongside his mother. He described the election as a reaffirmation of Iraq’s commitment to a peaceful transfer of power and democratic principles. In a statement released after polls closed, his office declared that Iraqis had "taken a distinguished step toward greater stability and success, strengthening the democratic system that reflects their free constitutional will and their desire to continue building the state and supporting its institutions," as quoted by Shafaq News.
To facilitate the complex post-election logistics, Prime Minister al-Sudani authorized a suspension of official working hours in government departments (except for essential services), allowing the IHEC and security forces to transfer ballot boxes and evacuate schools used as polling stations. The move, reported by IraqiNews.com, was designed to ensure the safe and efficient completion of the electoral process.
But even as the government touted the election as a milestone, many Iraqis voiced skepticism about its potential to deliver meaningful change. In Kirkuk, 60-year-old Nouraddin Salih told the Associated Press, "We don’t really expect much to change other than the faces of our representatives at the parliament, but voting has become something we do out of habit, much like people who pray simply because it’s part of their routine." Ban Bahnam, a 40-year-old Assyrian voter, was similarly resigned: "Our people are still leaving the country hopelessly. Even without hopes or expectations, we still come and vote."
Allegations of corruption and vote-buying also loomed over the proceedings. Security services arrested 46 people accused of illegally buying and selling voter cards, seizing nearly 1,841 cards in sting operations across several provinces, as documented by the Associated Press. The specter of fraud and manipulation has long haunted Iraqi elections, and this year was no exception. The head of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council even raised questions about the constitutionality of the election date, noting that it had originally been set for November 24.
Regionally, the election took place amid significant upheaval. The past two years have seen wars in Gaza and Lebanon, the Israel-Iran conflict in June, and the fall of Syria’s President Bashar Assad. These developments, along with mounting U.S. pressure on Iraq to rein in Iran-aligned armed groups—some of whom fielded candidates in the election—added layers of complexity to an already fraught process.
As the polls closed and the country braced for the announcement of preliminary results, expected within 24 hours, the mood was one of cautious anticipation. For some, the election represented a genuine step toward greater stability and a functioning democracy. For others, it was a ritual marked by fatigue and frustration, overshadowed by boycotts, violence, and lingering doubts about whether real change is possible.
One thing is clear: Iraq’s 2025 parliamentary elections have highlighted both the resilience and the fragility of the country’s democratic experiment. As the ballots are tallied and the political horse-trading begins, Iraqis—and the world—will be watching closely to see what comes next.
