Iraqi opposition lawmakers have warned they may boycott the 11 November parliamentary election after the electoral commission excluded hundreds of candidates, raising concerns about the fairness of the vote.
The Independent High Election Commission (IHEC) has barred more than 700 candidates from running, citing alleged ties to the former Ba'ath regime, forged academic certificates, criminal records, or candidates lacking certain criteria for a so-called Certificate of Good Behaviour.
Opposition groups allege that pro-Iranian Shia factions pressured the electoral commission to disqualify certain candidates for political reasons. In response, IHEC has denied that its decision-making is politically influenced or targets specific groups.
"The number of excluded candidates exceeds 700. Once candidate eligibility is verified, the Board of Commissioners will approve the names for election participation," IHEC spokeswoman Jumana al-Ghalai told The New Arab.
She stated that the commission operates fairly, independently, and transparently, and rejected any suggestion of political pressure.
Al-Ghalai explained that the exclusion process starts with reports from several state institutions. These include the judiciary, the Commission of Integrity, the Accountability and Justice Commission, the interior and defence ministries, the National Intelligence Service, the Popular Mobilisation Forces, and the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga Ministry.
Their findings go to IHEC’s commissioner council, which decides whether to exclude the candidates. These decisions can be appealed within three days. IHEC’s legal committee reviews appeals, and its ruling is final.
She also confirmed that preparations for the election are on track and voting is set for 11 November.
Amr Abdul Jabbar, who leads the opposition Al-Faw-Zakho bloc, has called on civil and opposition parties to meet soon to discuss a possible election boycott.
He accused the commission of double standards, saying candidates linked to ruling parties are often reinstated after exclusion, while those from civil or opposition groups remain banned, something he views as politically motivated.
"This arbitrariness has directly affected the civil forces," Abdul Jabbar said to TNA. "It is unreasonable, for example, to exclude someone who has been a communist since 1975 under the pretext of de-Ba'athification. Fifteen judges were excluded."
He mentioned Wael Abdul Latif, who was also barred. Abdul Latif, a veteran politician and judge who helped draft Iraq’s constitution and has served as governor of Basra, a member of parliament, a minister, and deputy head of the Court of Appeal.
"Despite all his service, he was excluded as a candidate from our bloc," Abdul Jabbar said. "Civil forces find no support from the exclusion bodies, whereas the same bodies show leniency toward the ruling parties. This has made us worry about the election results and our participation."
Abdul Jabbar warned that opposition groups might withdraw from the elections if the targeting continues. He also accused al-Sudani’s government of using lawsuits and protest restrictions to silence dissent.
"The ruling parties of the State Administration Coalition control the government, hold positions everywhere, and influence regulatory and oversight institutions. We, as opposition forces, have none of that," he said.
"Moreover, the current government has filed more defamation lawsuits against opposition MPs, journalists, media professionals, and civil activists than any previous government. These suits are part of a broader policy of silencing dissent."
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has formed a new political alliance with Faleh al-Fayyad, who leads the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), ahead of the elections. This move has sparked controversy and raised constitutional concerns about security figures participating in politics.
The new coalition, known as the 'Reconstruction and Development Alliance', comprises al-Sudani's Al-Furatain Movement, Fayyad’s National Contract Party, and several other political groups. These are Bilad Sumer, led by Labour Minister Ahmed al-Asadi; the National Coalition, led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi; the "Innovation of Karbala" group, led by Governor Nassif al-Khattabi; and the Generations bloc, led by MP Mohammed al-Sayhoud.
Critics are concerned about Fayyad’s participation because he leads the PMF, a state-affiliated paramilitary group. Iraqi electoral law prohibits members of the armed forces and security agencies from engaging in political activity or candidacy unless they resign and wait for a specified period of time. Opposition groups say this alliance blurs the line between military and civilian roles and sets a risky precedent.
In the Kurdistan Region, arrests and sentencing the opposition leaders continue before the elections. To date, three opposition leaders have been arrested in Sulaimaniyah, including Aram Qadr, head of the National Coalition; Lahur Sheikh Jangi, head of the People's Front party; and Shaswar Abdulwahid, head of the main opposition party, the New Generation Movement.