Baghdad: About 60% of eligible voters took part in Iraq’s special voting for security forces and displaced persons in the country’s sixth parliamentary election, the Independent High Electoral Commission said on Sunday.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, data released by the commission showed that 816,147 of the 1,313,980 eligible voters had cast their ballots so far. The special vote, which began at 7 a.m. local time, was scheduled to continue until 6 p.m.

The commission reported that turnout was highest in the northern province of Sulaymaniyah, where 78% of eligible voters participated, while the Rusafa district of Baghdad recorded the lowest rate at 47%.

The special voting phase is limited to members of the armed forces, police, security agencies, and internally displaced persons residing in camps. This arrangement allows security personnel to cast their votes ahead of the main polling day on Tuesday so they can focus on maintaining order during the general election.

Reports indicated strong participation by members of al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces or PMF) in Baghdad, Basra, Diyala, Nineveh, and Anbar provinces, with voting proceeding in a calm and orderly atmosphere.

Political analysts described the PMF’s active turnout as a sign of their commitment to civic participation and engagement in Iraq’s political process.