ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Rudaw Media Network has launched a comprehensive election coverage campaign for Iraq's November vote, which includes a number of special daily programs, studio debates between voters and candidates, field reporting from every province of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
At an event in Erbil, attended by officials and diplomatic missions, Rudaw announced its 2025 election coverage lineup - a series of in-depth programs and reports that aim to connect more closely with citizens across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
“In this election, Rudaw Media Network has placed more focus on the people,” said Rudaw CEO Ako Mohammed. “Rudaw is very close to the people in the Kurdistan Region, and in this election has also gotten closer to the people and youth in different provinces of Iraq. This closeness will continue during the election campaign period.”
He said Rudaw’s election coverage would feature detailed discussions on Iraq’s political and social structures, including the state system, constitutional powers, and the rights of the country’s diverse communities - Turkmen, Christians, and Yazidis - as well as women’s and civil rights and the challenges posed by climate change.
“Elections are a celebration of democracy,” he added. “They are an important time for people to evaluate their government, authorities, and representatives. Rudaw will have unrivaled and serious coverage, with our presenters and correspondents discussing the issues and demands of the people.”
The coverage, Mohammed noted, reflects months of preparation by Rudaw’s journalists, producers, directors, and correspondents. From Baghdad’s bustling streets to the quieter towns of the Kurdistan Region, Rudaw teams are working to capture diverse perspectives from across the country.
Campaigning for Iraq’s November elections began on Friday and will continue until November 8. Security forces and special voters will cast their ballots on November 9, followed by the general election on November 11.
Rudaw’s new programs aim to make the campaign season more accessible and engaging. Rebaz Ali, Rudaw’s Production Director, described the launch as “the official start of Rudaw's 2025 election season - a new chapter of coverage that carries both purpose and pride.”
He added that this year’s coverage “goes deeper, wider, and closer to the people than ever before,” featuring studio debates and field reports from every province in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Rudaw will broadcast five original programs, each designed to reflect a different aspect of Iraq’s democratic process:
BestoonTalk, hosted by Bestoon Osman, will bring student debates to Iraq’s historic landmarks and universities, giving young voters a direct platform to question politicians.
Why Should We Vote For You, also by Osman, will hold candidates accountable by asking them why they deserve voters’ support.
Rudawi Emro Election, presented by Nwenar Fatih, will feature voices from “ordinary Iraqis” in both Arabic and Kurdish.
Who Is Stronger (Ke Baheza), filmed on the streets, captures spontaneous reactions and reflections from voters.
The First Vote (Yakam Dang), hosted by Nazanin Goran, will spotlight first-time voters across Iraq.
At the launch event, diplomats emphasized the importance of media in supporting democracy.
“Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of a healthy, robust, and resilient society,” said Radu Butum, Head of the European Union Liaison Office in Erbil. “Elections cannot guarantee stability and development, but they are a necessary condition for both.”
He reaffirmed the EU’s support for media freedom and access to information, saying that societies are “stronger and better in the long run” when these freedoms exist.
Yann Braem, France’s Consul General in Erbil, said the upcoming elections represent “an additional step toward stability for Iraq and the region,” underscoring the vital role of voter awareness and participation.
“Press and media play an essential role,” he said. “They spread information, amplify candidates’ ideas, and allow voters to express their expectations.”
According to Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), 31 alliances, 38 parties, 23 independent candidates, and 56 minority quota candidates are running in the elections. A total of 7,768 candidates - including 5,520 men and 2,248 women - will compete for 329 parliamentary seats, nine of which are reserved for minorities.
More than 39,000 polling stations will open across 8,703 centers for general voting, with 4,501 stations designated for special voting. Displaced people will cast ballots in 97 stations located in and around camps in the Kurdistan Region.
Over 21 million Iraqis are eligible to vote after updating their biometric cards in recent months.