Iraq Proposes Amendments to Electoral Law Ahead of Upcoming Elections

Iraq’s parliamentary legal committee has proposed amendments to the electoral law to enhance transparency and prevent political interference ahead of the October parliamentary elections. Key changes include restructuring electoral districts, managing candidate nominations, and updating seat distribution for independents while ensuring compliance with electoral integrity.

Iraq’s parliamentary legal committee announced a proposal for amending the electoral law to enhance voting regulations. This draft, introduced by committee member MP Raed al-Maliki, aims to improve transparency, reduce political interference, and ensure fair competitive practices ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October.

The new proposal suggests that provinces function as single electoral districts, with the exceptions of Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul, which will each be divided into two districts. Additionally, the number of candidates per electoral list will match the available seats in each district to combat the issue of duplicate nominations.

The amendment allocates 30% of seats in each district to independent candidates securing at least 1.5% of the vote, while the remaining 70% will be assigned to list-based candidates. Furthermore, the Sainte-Laguë formula will undergo revisions, reducing the divisor from 1.7 to 1.5 to foster greater electoral competitiveness.

To prevent misuse of public office, the draft mandates resignation for MPs running in local elections and for governors or provincial council members seeking parliamentary seats. It further prohibits utilizing welfare programs and public services in election campaigns, aiming to level the playing field.

The proposal emerges following a meeting between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and IHEC head Omar Ahmed Mohammed, concerning the preparations for the upcoming elections. The Independent High Electoral Commission has commenced updating the voter registry, a one-month process.

However, some lawmakers, such as Mohammed Aunouz from the legal committee, have indicated that formal steps toward amending the electoral law have yet to take place, hinting at behind-the-scenes discussions. Earlier, Aunouz described the ongoing dialogues as mere political exchanges.

The proposed amendments to Iraq’s electoral law aim to enhance transparency and competitiveness in the upcoming elections. By restructuring electoral districts and revising the Sainte-Laguë formula, the amendments seek to ensure fair representation for independent candidates. Additionally, regulations against public office misuse and campaign mismanagement are designed to uphold electoral integrity. While discussions are underway, formal actions remain to be observed.

Original Source: shafaq.com