Iraqi government says it thwarted cyber plot to rig elections

Iraqi authorities succeeded in uncovering plans by cyber hackers to rig the elections, which may end up persuading Iraqi voters to cast their ballots in October.
Employees of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission Center register voters in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah in the Dhi Qar province, on Jan. 12, 2021.
Employees of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission Center register voters in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah in the Dhi Qar province, on Jan. 12, 2021. - ASAAD NIAZI/AFP via Getty Images
Omar_Sattar.jpg
Omar Sattar

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi revealed on Sept. 1 details of an operation to thwart a major plan by cyber groups associated with political and parliamentary parties to rig the Oct. 10 early elections.

The prime minister’s office said in a statement: “Under the judiciary’s direct supervision, our security services carried out a proactive operation that managed to thwart an attempt to rig the elections by putting pressure on employees in the Electoral Commission, so as to create chaos.”

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