Iraq - November 2025

On 11 November, Iraq held parliamentary elections for all 329 seats in the Council of Representatives. The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced the results on 17 November. The Reconstruction and Development Coalition, led by incumbent PM Al-Sudani, secured the largest share with 46 seats, followed by The State of Law Coalition with 29, and Taqaddum and the Sadiqoon Movement with 27 each. Voter turnout rose to 56.0 per cent from 43.5 per cent in 2021, though registration remained low. The Sadrist Movement, previously the largest party until its 2022 resignation, boycotted the vote. Of 2,248 women running as candidates (28.9 per cent), 84 won seats (83 secured by a quota), representing 25.2 per cent of parliament, down from 95 seats (28.9 per cent) previously. Observers described the elections as generally peaceful, despite at least 24 violent incidents on election day, including assaults and intimidation of voters, polling staff and monitors. In the lead-up, a candidate was killed in a car-bomb attack. A total of 872 appeals were filed, with results sent to the Federal Supreme Court for ratification on 8 December. 

Sources: Independent High Electoral Commission, Shafaq News (1), Shafaq News (2), Shafaq News (3), +964 Media, International IDEA, IPU Parline

Voter turnout in Iraq’s parliamentary elections held on 11 November reached its highest level since the 2018 election, with 56.0 per cent of the 21.4 million registered voters participating (roughly 12 million votes). This represents an increase from the 43.5 per cent turnout in the 2021 election, when 9.6 million registered voters cast their ballots (out of 22.1 million total registered voters). In particular, participation was highest in the Kurdistan Region, with 77.0 per cent in Duhok and 70.0 per cent in Erbil.

Sources: International IDEA, Atlantic Council, Shafaq News