Security during elections is the main concern in Iraq. Even though officials affirmed the creation of new plans to secure the electoral process, it is still highly doubtful that polling stations in the insecure areas of Anbar, Baghdad and Diyala will be well protected.

Brig. Gen. Saad Maan, spokesman for the Interior Ministry and the Baghdad Operations Command, told Al-Monitor, “Military and security forces were handed over the school buildings affiliated with the Ministry of Education, which will serve as polling stations during the voting process taking place on April 30.”

“Security and military forces will be present in all schools during voting to protect the buildings and voters against any terrorist acts. … The security plan that is to be implemented during the elections relies on three security cordons, successively made up of military forces standing at intersections, security forces within the areas and the final cordon inside the [polling] stations,” Maan said.

He continued, “The cadres that will be tasked with searching voters and securing polling stations have been prepared, knowing that the Iraqi air force will be involved in the electoral security plan.”