IHEC Releases Latest Statistics on Candidate Exclusions Ahead of Elections

PUKMEDIA

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Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has released updated statistics on candidates excluded from the upcoming parliamentary elections, clarifying the reasons behind the disqualifications and the status of ongoing reviews.

Imad Jamil, head of IHEC’s media team, told the Iraqi News Agency that the Accountability and Justice lists currently under discussion include 404 individuals who have been summoned, but no final exclusions have yet been issued.

He explained that a preliminary list of 98 candidates was excluded for failing to meet candidacy requirements, including the absence of required documents. Other cases involved technical defects in electoral lists, such as the failure to meet the rule that at least 20% of candidates must hold higher education degrees. Adjustments were also made to ensure compliance with the requirement that 25% of candidates be women, which led to the replacement of some male candidates with female candidates.

Jamil further noted that IHEC had received lists from the Ministry of Interior’s Criminal Records Directorate, which identified 88 candidates with criminal records. In addition, four candidates were excluded for submitting forged academic certificates, while three to four others were disqualified due to conduct and behaviour-related issues.

On the issue of accountability and justice, Jamil confirmed that the Commission has received requests for the exclusion of 200 candidates from the Accountability and Justice Commission, in addition to the 404 names already flagged for review. He stated that the Commission’s Board is expected to issue a decision on these cases in the coming days.

Iraq’s Council of Ministers previously approved 11 November 2025 as the date for the next parliamentary elections during its session on 9 April this year.



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