The threat to election integrity in Iraq has increased sharply ahead of the parliamentary vote. The key phrase “threat to election integrity” appears throughout this article.
On Saturday, the Victory Alliance, led by former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, raised alarms about the growing dangers of sectarian campaigning, misuse of political money, and abuse of state resources. These issues pose a direct threat to election integrity in Iraq.
In addition, the Victory Alliance’s spokesperson, Aqeel al-Rudaini, described these problems as some of the most serious challenges to Iraq’s electoral process. He highlighted that the campaign season’s start revealed unequal opportunities among candidates.
Al-Rudaini pointed out that some political parties provide their candidates with vast financial and institutional backing. In contrast, others struggle without basic resources to run their campaigns.
He condemned the rising use of political money and sectarian propaganda. Al-Rudaini called such tactics “blatant and disturbing,” saying they undermine democratic values. He warned these actions also threaten social unity and civil peace.
Further, al-Rudaini urged Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to take strong action against any campaign messages containing sectarian or discriminatory language. He emphasized that such language damages the fairness of the elections.
Additionally, al-Rudaini noted that while some candidates lack government positions or access to state funds, others exploit their official roles. These officials use government resources to boost their campaigns. This misuse, he argued, severely harms the election’s fairness and integrity.
He demanded strict government and IHEC monitoring of all public fund misuse and sectarian campaigning. “These violations breach the law and erode public trust in state institutions,” al-Rudaini stressed.
Earlier in June, the Victory Alliance announced it would not compete directly in the elections. Instead, it chose to support the National State Forces Alliance.
The group blamed political money’s overwhelming influence and weak enforcement for this decision. The Victory Alliance described the November 11 elections as vulnerable to fraud and vote-buying.
In conclusion, the growing threat to election integrity in Iraq calls for urgent attention. Officials must act swiftly to protect democracy and restore public confidence.
