Iraq Disqualifies Hundreds of High-Profile Candidates from Parliamentary Elections
14 of the disqualified candidates were former judges barred from participation due to previous legal cases. Among them is Judge Wael Abdul Latif, a member of the Iraqi Governing Council from 2003.
Baghdad (Kurdistan24) – For the first time in Iraq’s history, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has disqualified hundreds of candidates from the upcoming parliamentary elections, including high-profile politicians, sitting parliamentarians, former judges, and public figures.
Kurdistan24 correspondent Dilan Barzan reported from Baghdad that the IHEC has introduced strict eligibility standards, requiring candidates to have no criminal record, no involvement in financial corruption, no pending sexual harassment cases, and no ties to the dissolved Ba’ath Party.
According to Barzan, 14 of the disqualified candidates were former judges barred from participation due to previous legal cases. Among them is Judge Wael Abdul Latif, a member of the Iraqi Governing Council from 2003.
“There are judges who have been removed due to sexual harassment lawsuits,” Barzan noted. “Disqualifications were based on a range of charges, including corruption, misconduct, and harassment. Several high-profile political leaders were also removed, such as Nineveh Governor Najim al-Jubouri, Salah ad-Din Governor Ahmed al-Jubouri, and former Interior Minister and current parliamentarian Jawad al-Bulani.”
The IHEC announced on Wednesday that political parties and coalitions with disqualified candidates have three days to submit replacements, but clarified that no substitutions will be accepted after September 4.
Hassan Qabas, a member of the IHEC media team, confirmed that the total number of disqualified candidates has reached 470 so far. Iraqi politician Misha’an al-Juburi added that 253 candidates were barred for their membership in the Ba’ath Party, while the cases of 16 others, including prominent MPs, are still under review and will be decided next week.
The sweeping disqualifications come ahead of Iraq’s next parliamentary elections, scheduled for November 11, following a unanimous decision by the Council of Ministers earlier this year.
