ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s electoral commission said on Tuesday that over 300 international observers and 1,500 journalists will monitor the country’s parliamentary elections, a week before the vote is set to take place. 

“A total of 304 international figures have been accredited as observers so far, and this number of observers is subject to increase until the last day for the accreditation of observers in the Commission,” Hassan Salman, legal advisor to the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), told the state al-Sabah newspaper. 

Salman added that the Arab League and the United Nations would also participate in monitoring the upcoming November 11 elections.

According to IHEC data, over 1,500 journalists - both local and foreign - were accredited to cover the elections at polling stations. 

“The commission began inviting local and foreign media personnel last month to submit their documents to obtain the cards that allow them to cover the parliament elections,” said Hassan Hadi Zayer, a member of IHEC’s media team.

State media also reported that security forces in Baghdad have tightened security around the warehouses storing technical and logistical equipment for the vote. All of the equipment will be transferred to the polling stations after Friday. 

Campaigning for the federal parliamentary elections began on October 10, with over 7,750 candidates competing for the 329 seats allocated across the provinces under a proportional representation system. 

Iraq’s last parliamentary elections in October 2021 saw a record low turnout amid widespread public frustration.

The electoral silence period is slated for November 8 at 7 am, and electoral campaigns must be immediately halted afterwards.

Special voting is scheduled to take place a day after the silence period, where special forces and members of security services will cast their votes.