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Shafaq News
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's 2025 election drama: Political showdown over law and seat expansion
Shafaq News/ Iraq is gearing up for its highly anticipated legislative elections by October 2025, but the road ahead is clouded by fierce debates over the Election Law and the possibility of expanding parliamentary seats, sparked by the country's recent census, which revealed a significant population increase. Political factions are pushing for changes that align with their interests, making consensus difficult and adding complexity to an already contentious process. Evolution of Iraq's Electoral Laws Since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, Iraq has changed its electoral framework, enacting six election laws to address the country's evolving political landscape. Initially, during the transitional phase, Iraq operated as a single electoral district with a closed-list system. In 2005, Election Law No. 16 introduced a new system based on electoral quotient calculations, dividing the country into 18 electoral districts aligned with its provinces. This system remained in place until 2010 when partial open-list voting was introduced. Further reforms came in 2014 with the adoption of the Sainte-Laguë method, using a 1.7 divisor formula, which was later adjusted to 1.9 in 2018. This method, introduced in 1912 by French mathematician André Sainte-Laguë, distributes votes across electoral seats in multi-member districts, seeking to minimize discrepancies between votes and seat allocation. The October 2019 protests, driven by widespread public dissatisfaction with corruption and political stagnation, led to another major shift in 2020. The new law replaced proportional representation with a majoritarian system, dividing each province into multiple electoral districts. This change allowed independent candidates to secure 70 out of 329 parliamentary seats in the 2021 elections, while traditional parties struggled to achieve a majority. On March 27, 2023, the Iraqi parliament approved an amendment to the parliamentary elections law, reverting to the pre-2019 system. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from independent and smaller political parties, who argue that it favors larger political blocs and undermines the progress made since the protests. Proposed Amendments and Ongoing Discussions Several proposals for further electoral reforms are currently under discussion, including: - Reinstating the multi-district system used in the 2021 elections. - Dividing densely populated provinces into two electoral districts to ensure fairer representation. - Implementing a 20–80% electoral district model to reduce political influence and limit the role of financial power in election outcomes. These proposals, according to analysts, aim to address concerns about fairness and representation while balancing the interests of various political factions. Election Law in the Hands of Temple Gods? Amending Iraq's Election Law, a key demand of the State of Law Coalition (SLC) led by led by Nouri al-Maliki, currently faces considerable obstacles as divisions between major political blocs intensify. While larger parties seek to consolidate their influence, independent and smaller factions continue to push for greater representation and accountability. Each faction, according to MPs, is determined to shape the law in a way that aligns with its own interests, making consensus elusive. MP Haitham Al-Fahd described the situation as being in the hands of the political elite, or what he called the 'temple gods.' 'The amendment has not been officially proposed in parliament or its specialized committees so far,' he told Shafaq News Agency, adding, 'What is happening regarding the amendment is merely behind-the-scenes discussions among political leaders.' While Al-Fahd expected the amendment to move forward soon, he acknowledged, 'It will certainly be passed by some leaders according to their party and personal interests.' The variety of viewpoints among political blocs was underscored by SLC spokesman MP Aqil Al-Fatlawi, who highlighted the range of proposals on the table. 'Some favor maintaining a single electoral district, others propose two districts per province, while for Baghdad, four districts evenly distributed between Karkh and Rusafa are suggested,' he explained to our agency. Al-Fatlawi stressed that the final decision would hinge on political agreements, with the State of Law's preference being a move toward multiple districts—but not to the extent seen in the 2021 elections. 'This proposal has been discussed with political partners, and negotiations are ongoing to reach a mutually accepted formula, which will serve as the solution,' he said. The underlying aim, according to Al-Fatlawi, is to restore balance and encourage political participation. 'This approach aims to send a message of goodwill to those outside the political process, encouraging their return,' he remarked, implicitly referencing Al-Sadr's ongoing refusal to engage in discussions over the matter. At the same time, Jawad Al-Yasari, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Regions and Governorates, noted that 'many proposals exist among political blocs and parties to amend the Election Law, particularly revising the Sainte-Laguë system, but no agreement has been reached, and no formal proposal has been submitted yet,' he told Shafaq News. Among the key proposals is one requiring ministers and executive officials to take mandatory leave if they intend to run for parliament. Another suggestion, Al-Yasari affirmed, would require the Prime Minister and ministers to resign if they wish to participate in the elections, though some proposals advocate for exempting the PM from this requirement. Meanwhile, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), as spokesperson Jumana Al-Ghalai confirmed to Shafaq News, continues to administer parliamentary elections under the amended Parliamentary and Provincial Councils Election Law No. 12 of 2018, which incorporates a modified Sainte-Laguë formula. Will Census Affect MPs Number? As Iraq's 2024 census records a population exceeding 45 million, the first such count since 1997, speculation has surged over whether this would trigger a rise in the number of parliamentary seats, currently set at 329. Article 49 of the constitution allows for a potential increase, stipulating that each MP represents 100,000 citizens. This formula could, in theory, push the number of seats to as high as 600. However, the path to such a change isn't clear-cut. In 2005, Iraq's first parliamentary elections resulted in 275 MPs, and this number rose to 329 despite the absence of a complete national census. While some see the new census as a reason to increase the seats, others, like Fadel al-Gharawi, head of the Strategic Human Rights Center, argue against this move. "The announced population in the 2024 census cannot be used to change the number of MPs from 329 to 453, as it was a population count rather than a comprehensive census as required by the constitution," he pointed out. Instead, the expert proposed amending Article 49 to remove the 'one MP per 100,000 people' clause and cap the number of seats at 329. Al-Gharawi even suggested holding a referendum on the issue alongside the next parliamentary elections to streamline the process and reduce the financial burden. The electoral commission has made it clear that the final decision rests in the hands of lawmakers. Al-Ghalai affirmed the IHEC's stance on adhering to the current law, which continues to set the seat total at 329. On the ground, MP Al-Fatlawi dismissed any immediate changes to the parliamentary structure. "The government has yet to determine the number of Iraqis living abroad, and the Ministry of Planning has not completed all census-related procedures. Therefore, there will be no increase in the number of MPs," he explained, adding that the process is far from complete.
Shafaq News
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq aims for International standards in 2025 Parliamentary elections
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has begun preparations for the 2025 parliamentary elections, working to ensure the process meets international standards. Chief Commissioner Judge Omar Ahmed Mohammed confirmed in a media briefing that biometric voter registration is ongoing across the country, while officials finalize the electoral timeline, secure contracts for election materials, and address other technical preparations. According to Shafaq News correspondent, the elections are scheduled to take place 45 days before the current parliament's term ends in January 2026. Funding is sufficient, and the commission is coordinating with the Finance Ministry to ensure timely fund releases. Judge Mohammed emphasized the commission's commitment to transparency, stating, 'The upcoming elections will be held under the amended 2018 Parliamentary and Local Elections Law, which follows a proportional representation system.' To further enhance transparency, the commission has established high-level committees to oversee international and local observers. 'We have invited international monitoring teams and issued identification badges to facilitate their presence at polling stations across the country,' Mohammed added. He also highlighted Iraq's shift toward electronic voting, ensuring a faster and more secure process. 'All election equipment will be fully electronic, including voter verification systems, result acceleration devices, and result transmission machines,' he noted. As Iraq prepares for the October 2025 elections, debates continue over the Election Law and potential changes to the number of parliamentary seats based on the country's latest census. Evolution of Iraq's Electoral Laws Since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, Iraq has made several changes to its electoral system, introducing six different election laws to address its evolving political landscape. In the early transitional phase, Iraq used a closed-list system, treating the entire country as a single electoral district. This changed in 2005 with Election Law No. 16, which introduced a framework dividing Iraq into 18 electoral districts based on its provinces. This system relied on electoral quotient calculations and remained in place until 2010, when a partial open-list voting system was introduced. Further reforms came in 2014 with the adoption of the Sainte-Laguë method, a proportional representation system designed to ensure fairer seat distribution. Initially, Iraq used a 1.7 divisor formula, which was later adjusted to 1.9 in 2018. The system changed drastically in 2020, following mass protests in 2019 against corruption and political stagnation. Iraq abandoned proportional representation in favour of a majoritarian model, dividing each province into smaller districts. This shift allowed independent candidates to win 70 out of 329 seats in the 2021 elections, reducing the dominance of traditional political parties. However, on March 27, 2023, Iraq's parliament reversed this change, reinstating the pre-2019 system. The amendment reintroduced the Sainte-Laguë method with a 1.7 divisor, treating each province as a single electoral district. This move was met with strong criticism from independent and smaller parties, who argued it favored larger political blocs and undermined the reforms introduced after the protests. Despite calls for further reform, Iraq's Parliamentary Legal Committee recently confirmed that no official proposals or drafts to amend the Election Law have been submitted. MP Omid Muhammad told Shafaq News, 'The committee has not been presented with any draft or proposal to amend the Election Law, either from the government, parties, political blocs, or members of parliament.' With parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2025, political divisions remain sharp. The State of Law Coalition (SLC), led by Nouri al-Maliki, is advocating for electoral changes that could strengthen larger political parties, while independent and smaller factions continue to push for greater representation and accountability.
Shafaq News
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
EXCLUSIVE: Iraqi Parliament has no official proposals to amend Election Law
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, the Iraqi Parliament's Legal Committee confirmed that it has not received any official proposals or drafts to amend the Election Law from any political or parliamentary entity. MP Omid Muhammad told Shafaq News Agency, "The committee has not been presented with any draft or proposal to amend the Election Law, either from the government, parties, political blocs, or members of parliament." "The current law applies the Sainte-Laguë 1.7 electoral system, where each province is treated as a single electoral district, as was the case in the provincial council elections," he explained. The MP further acknowledged several ideas and proposals from political parties and blocs to amend the law, but noted that they have not been officially submitted. 'Any amendment to the law must occur during the current legislative season to allow the Independent High Electoral Commission sufficient time to prepare for the parliamentary elections.' Notably, Iraq is set to hold parliamentary elections by October 2025, amid ongoing debate over the law governing the elections. Amending the country's Election Law, a key demand of the State of Law Coalition (SLC) led by led by Nouri al-Maliki, currently faces considerable obstacles as divisions between major political blocs intensify. While larger parties seek to consolidate their influence, independent and smaller factions continue to push for greater representation and accountability. Evolution of Iraq's Electoral Laws Since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003, Iraq has undergone significant changes in its electoral framework, enacting six election laws to address the country's evolving political landscape. Initially, during the transitional phase, Iraq operated as a single electoral district with a closed-list system. In 2005, Election Law No. 16 introduced a new system based on electoral quotient calculations, dividing the country into 18 electoral districts aligned with its provinces. This system remained in place until 2010, when partial open-list voting was introduced. Further reforms came in 2014 with the adoption of the Sainte-Laguë method, using a 1.7 divisor formula, which was later adjusted to 1.9 in 2018. This method, introduced in 1912 by French mathematician André Sainte-Laguë, distributes votes across electoral seats in multi-member districts, seeking to minimize discrepancies between votes and seat allocation. The October 2019 protests, driven by widespread public dissatisfaction with corruption and political stagnation, led to another major shift in 2020. The new law replaced proportional representation with a majoritarian system, dividing each province into multiple electoral districts. This change allowed independent candidates to secure 70 out of 329 parliamentary seats in the 2021 elections, while traditional parties struggled to achieve a majority. On March 27, 2023, the Iraqi parliament approved an amendment to the parliamentary elections law, reverting to the pre-2019 system. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from independent and smaller political parties, who argue that it favors larger political blocs and undermines the progress made since the protests.
