Iraq Proposes Amendment to Electoral Law to Enhance Voting Regulations

Iraq has proposed an amendment to its electoral law aimed at improving transparency and ensuring fair competition in the upcoming elections. Key provisions include a new electoral district structure, capping candidate nominations, and the allocation of seats for independent candidates. Moreover, measures to prevent misuse of public office during elections are included.

Iraq has proposed an amendment to its electoral law, aiming to enhance voting regulations, as announced by the parliamentary legal committee. The draft, presented by MP Raed al-Maliki, seeks to improve transparency, minimize political interference, and ensure fair competition ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for October.

The proposition outlines that each province will serve as a single electoral district, with Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul designated as having two districts each. In a bid to mitigate duplicate nominations, the number of candidates allowed per electoral list would equal the available seats in each district.

Additionally, the amendment allocates 30% of parliamentary seats in each district to independent candidates who achieve at least 1.5% of the vote. The remaining 70% of seats will go to list-based candidates. Furthermore, a revision to the Sainte-Laguë formula would see the divisor reduced from 1.7 to 1.5 to foster enhanced electoral competition.

To deter the misuse of public office during elections, the proposal mandates the resignation of MPs running in local elections, as well as governors or provincial council members contesting parliamentary seats. Furthermore, it prohibits the utilization of welfare programs, land grants, or public services in election campaigns.

This proposal follows a crucial meeting between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and the head of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), Omar Ahmed Mohammed, focusing on the preparations for the upcoming elections. IHEC is currently updating the voter registry, a task set to last one month.

Despite the discussions around the electoral law reforms, some legislators, including Mohammed Aunouz from the legal committee, have asserted that no formal steps have been taken thus far, indicating that negotiations may be occurring without public acknowledgment. Aunouz previously characterized these discussions as merely “political talk.”

In summary, Iraq’s proposed electoral law amendment aims to enhance the electoral process by improving transparency, limiting political interference, and ensuring fairness ahead of the October elections. Key provisions include reforms to district designations, candidate nominations, and competitive seat allocations for independent candidates. However, the effectiveness of these proposals remains uncertain pending formal legislative actions and ongoing discussions among lawmakers.

Original Source: shafaq.com