IHEC Disqualifies Over 500 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Elections

PUKMEDIA

IHEC's logo.

Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced that 581 candidates and 10 minority communities candidates have so far been disqualified from contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections, with the number expected to rise. The Commission also outlined the conditions for alternative nominations to replace excluded candidates.

Imad Jamil, head of the IHEC’s media team, told the Iraqi's statement (INA) that 195 candidates were excluded due to incomplete documents and failure to meet nomination requirements, including quota percentages for educational qualifications and women’s representation. 

He added that 104 candidates were disqualified on the basis of criminal evidence, while 15 others were found to have submitted forged certificates. In addition, around 10 candidates representing the minority communities were disqualified.

“These figures are likely to increase,” Jamil said, noting that the final list of excluded candidates will be determined once responses from security and legal authorities are complete. He further explained that the IHEC's Board of Commissioners must approve the final list of candidates 30 days before election day, which falls at the beginning of October.

According to Jamil, replacement candidates must meet the requirements set out in Candidates Regulation No. 3 of 2025. These stipulate that nominees must be at least 30 years old, hold a bachelor’s degree (or a preparatory certificate in some cases), be free of accountability and justice measures, possess good conduct, and have no record of corruption or dishonourable misdemeanours. They must also not be members of the security forces, serving judges, or members of the Board of Commissioners.

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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