IHEC Confirms: Gen Z Is Officially in the Game

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Ready or not, Iraq’s political arena is about to get a serious dose of Gen Z energy. The country’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has confirmed that over one million Iraqis born in 2007 are now eligible to vote for the very first time—just in time for what’s shaping up to be a historic electoral showdown.

IHEC spokesperson Jumana al-Ghalai told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) on Friday that the commission is “constitutionally and legally committed to holding elections on time,” dismissing any doubts and reaffirming their commitment to the scheduled vote.

The countdown is on—with a fresh batch of voters who were still negotiating bedtime when the Constitution last made waves.

Al-Ghalai noted that the voter registry update is already in full swing, involving a meticulous clean-up of electoral records: adding newcomers, fixing outdated info, removing the dearly departed, and making sure security forces, displaced citizens, and everyone in between are accounted for.

To make sure no voter is left behind—or uninformed—IHEC has rolled out 1,079 registration centers nationwide, with mobile teams fanning out to schools, institutions, and government departments like democracy’s own Avengers. Their mission? Educate, enroll, and energize.

Tech-wise, IHEC isn’t lagging behind either. The commission reported that it is currently updating and maintaining its electoral gear, including biometric systems that will use eye and facial recognition for voters whose fingerprints have ghosted the scanners —because nothing should stand between a citizen and their vote, not even uncooperative thumbs.

And in a small win for efficiency lovers, not everyone has to queue up at the registration center. If you’ve got a voter card with your photo and no changes to your personal data, you're good to go. The update also covers voter transfers between governorates and reports of deceased individuals to ensure the final list isn’t haunted by electoral ghosts.

Al-Ghalai wrapped up her remarks with a clear message: “The commission is proceeding with its work to hold the elections on the date set by the Cabinet.” In other words—circle the date, this one’s happening.

As Iraq braces for another round of democratic drama, this election promises something different: a wave of fresh voters stepping up for the first time. Whether they sway the results or just shake up the conversation, one thing’s for sure—the future just showed up, and it brought a voter card.