IHEC defends candidate disqualifications as legal and justified, not influenced by political agendas. On Tuesday, the Independent High Electoral Commission addressed growing public concerns.
According to a commission spokesperson, all exclusions followed legal guidelines and eligibility rules. The IHEC made these decisions after reviewing information from verified sources.
Moreover, officials confirmed that excluded candidates failed to meet basic legal conditions. Specifically, these conditions include a clean record, good conduct, and no prior convictions involving corruption or dishonesty.
As a result, IHEC disqualified 65 individuals for violating Article 7/3 of the amended Election Law No. 12 of 2018. Importantly, this law applies to both parliamentary and provincial council elections.
Furthermore, the violations include administrative and financial misconduct, even in cases covered by general amnesty. However, IHEC stated that no disqualification stemmed from political or personal bias.Furthermore, the disqualification process remains open to legal review. The Board of Commissioners’ decision can be appealed within three days of publication.
A judicial panel will handle all appeals. Its decisions are final and binding. Candidates who believe they were wrongly excluded can use this process.
IHEC previously removed other candidates for more severe criminal charges. These include murder, bribery, forgery, and fraud. Officials emphasized that these disqualifications followed Iraq’s legal and constitutional framework.
The commission also clarified that it works independently and respects the electoral process. IHEC defends candidate disqualifications by pointing to legal standards, not external influence.
These measures aim to preserve the credibility of Iraq’s upcoming elections. Ensuring that all candidates meet legal standards helps build public trust.
Critics have claimed political targeting. However, IHEC continues to refute those claims with evidence and procedural transparency. The commission insists that its role is administrative, not political.
IHEC defends candidate disqualifications by standing firmly on law and procedure. Officials believe the rules are clear and equally enforced.
As election day approaches, IHEC urges the public to rely on official channels for accurate information. The commission remains committed to a lawful and transparent electoral process.
Ultimately, IHEC defends candidate disqualifications to uphold integrity and fairness within Iraq’s democratic system.
