BAGHDAD, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission announced Friday the start of a mandatory election silence period beginning Saturday ahead of the Nov. 11 parliamentary elections.
The silence period will take effect at 7 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) Saturday and continue until the end of voting, the commission said in a statement.
The commission informed "alliances, parties and candidates" that the period requires a halt to "any activity aimed at promoting a candidate or party to win voter support."
In a televised address to the nation on Friday ahead of the silence period, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani urged the public to take part in the vote.
"You are the decision-makers, and therefore we call on all of you to exercise your right freely, consciously and responsibly," al-Sudani said.
Iraq's last parliamentary election in 2021 sparked violent clashes in Baghdad and led to nearly a year of political deadlock before a government was formed. ■
