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The National
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Iraqis 'losing faith' in elections amid political boycotts and vote-buying allegations
As Iraq gears up for the national elections later this year, the electoral process is becoming mired in controversy over allegations of vote buying and the use of illegally acquired political funds, as well as boycotts by some political parties. These developments are raising doubts whether the November 11 vote, Iraq's sixth parliamentary election since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein 's regime, will be free, fair and truly representative or just another step towards reinforcing the grip of dominant parties. The most recent blow came from former prime minister Haider Al Abadi 's Victory Coalition, which announced this week that it would not field any candidates in the election. It cited concerns over political spending, the use of state resources to influence voters and a lack of legal safeguards against fraud. 'The Victory Coalition refuses to take part in an election that is based on political money and lacking firm enforcement of legal regulations to prevent manipulation, vote-buying, misuse of public and foreign funds and the exploitation of state resources,' it said. It said there was an 'urgent need to reform the electoral process, as it is the pillar of democracy and the key to increasing voter participation and enabling the election of the most competent candidates away from any illegitimate or unethical influences that could harm the integrity of the results'. The coalition, however, says it will remain part of the National State Forces Alliance which is led by Shiite cleric Ammar Al Hakim and presents itself as a moderate and a reformist political group that seeks to move beyond the sectarian divisions. It will support those 'we believe are competent' within that alliance, it added. Although the Victory Coalition is not an influential political group, it is considered one of the few moderate voices inside the Co-ordination Framework, the largest parliamentary group dominated by Iran-backed political factions and militias. Mr Al Abadi served a four-year term as prime minister from September 2014, a tenure that was marked by the US-led war to end the ISIS invasion of Iraq. He joins a growing list of political figures who are opting out of the November election. A number of independent candidates and smaller reformist movements have also said they will not participate this year, citing similar concerns over fraud, violence and the erosion of electoral competitiveness. Their stance echoes the position taken by the influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, who announced a total withdrawal from the political process when he failed to form a majority government with only Sunni and Kurdish parties, after winning 73 of the 329 seats in parliament in the 2021 polls. Mr Al Sadr reiterated his decision to boycott the election in a handwritten message posted on his X account on Friday with the hashtag #We_Are_Boycotting. He said justice could only be upheld by 'bringing all weapons under state control, dismantling militias, strengthening Iraq's army and security forces, achieving complete independence and urgently seeking reforms and accountability'. A western diplomat described the decision by some political players − mainly moderates − to pull out of the elections as 'worrying'. He noted that the lack of participation and a trend towards low turnouts do not bode well for Iraq. 'It's not good for a democratic country,' he said. 'Lost faith' The boycotts come amid mounting allegations that biometric voter ID cards – intended to combat election fraud – are being sold. Activists have flagged instances of people, particularly in poorer communities, being approached with offers of money in exchange for their cards. In a voice note circulated on social media, a woman promised free minor plastic surgery for those who present voter cards. A delivery company threatened employees in a message on their private chat group that they would lose their jobs if they failed to bring their voter cards and those of their relatives. In a video posted on Facebook, a man identified as an aide to a politician in Salaheddin province says anyone seeking jobs or favours from him would have to give him their voter cards. Alarmed by the latest trends, Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission, has said it is 'taking the necessary measures to prevent any violations that threaten the integrity of the electoral process'. It said those responsible would face legal action and exclusion from the elections. 'The sale or purchase of biometric voter cards, or the attempt to do so, and the exploitation of state resources for electoral purposes are electoral crimes punishable by law,' it said. There have been reports in Iraqi media that government vehicles and buildings are being used in efforts to woo voters, including the use of a school that prompted the Education Minister to order an investigation. Despite technology introduced to reduce electoral violations, such as the introduction of biometric voter IDs and the immediate transmission of vote tallies from counting centres to the electoral authority's headquarters via satellite, the 2021 election saw a record low turnout of 41 per cent. It was followed by months of political deadlock over the formation of a new government until the Co-ordination Framework mustered enough backing to install Mohammed Shia Al Sudani as Prime Minister a year later. The 2021 election was held under a new electoral law adopted by parliament in response to pro-reform protests that began in October 2019. The law divided each province into electoral districts with the winner being the party with the highest number of votes, which gave new independent parties – many of which were supported by protesters – a better chance of winning seats. Under the previous system, each of the 18 provinces was a single electoral district, and seats were apportioned based on a complicated formula that favoured established parties. However, parliament reversed these changes in March 2023, once again making it more difficult for independent candidates and small parties to compete. Now, the sense of public disillusionment is even deeper. Many of the young protesters who filled Iraq's streets in 2019 have either exited the political scene or left the country altogether. 'People have lost faith,' Mustafa Majeed, 42, who took part in the 2019 protests in the southern city of Nasiriyah, told The National. 'They don't see elections as a means to improve their lives, they see them as a mechanism to maintain the same corrupt structure.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
After al-Sadr's Boycott, al-Abadi Withdraws from Iraq's Upcoming Elections
Following the decision by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Sadrist Movement to uphold its boycott of Iraq's parliamentary elections, former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has also announced that his Victory Coalition will withdraw in protest against 'political money' and the lack of safeguards to prevent its misuse. Al-Sadr has repeatedly declared that systemic financial and political corruption is the main reason his movement refuses to participate. Al-Abadi's coalition echoed similar concerns, saying the upcoming November vote has been overshadowed by unrestrained spending and vote-buying. Despite efforts by political forces to convince the Sadrists to reconsider, al-Sadr remained resolute. While he did direct his supporters to update their voter records, it is still unclear whether he will ultimately endorse any of the electoral lists reportedly registered under different names by allied groups. The Victory Coalition formally notified its partners in the National State Forces Alliance that it will not field its own candidates, becoming the second major Shiite bloc to step aside. In a statement, the coalition said it remains committed to democratic principles but refuses to legitimize an election 'driven by political money, lacking serious enforcement of legal measures to prevent manipulation, vote-buying, misuse of public resources, and foreign funding.' The coalition stressed that a political entity's credibility stems from its conduct, which defines its true influence. Meanwhile, the Independent High Electoral Commission has begun reviewing candidate lists submitted by parties and alliances after the nomination period closed. Commission spokesperson Imad Jameel confirmed that officials are verifying documents to ensure candidates meet eligibility criteria, with background checks to be completed within 15 days. As millions of Sadrist supporters face the likelihood of sitting out the election, traditional Shiite factions are positioning themselves as the natural political heirs and preparing to court disillusioned voters, particularly in Baghdad. Separately, an official source revealed that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, leader of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, plans to run about 470 candidates nationwide. Al-Sudani will hold the top slot in Baghdad. Former Speaker of Parliament and Taqaddum leader Mohammed al-Halbousi also plans to contest Baghdad rather than Anbar, seeking to secure a strong Sunni presence in the capital. These moves signal an intense contest for dominance in Baghdad, as al-Sudani may capitalize on Sadrist absence to expand Shiite support, while al-Halbousi's campaign could reshape the sectarian balance in Iraq's political heartland.
Rudaw Net
29-06-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council approves top judge's retirement
Also in Iraq KRG delegation arrives in Baghdad amid efforts to resolve financial disputes Iraq's Victory Coalition to skip election Iraq's marshlands are drying up Sistani rep warns Iraqis to remain vigilant despite Iran-Israel truce A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council on Sunday approved the retirement of Federal Supreme Court President Jassim al-Umairi and appointed another judge as his replacement. Umairi recently requested his retirement following the resignations of six out of nine permanent court members, along with three reserve members. The Supreme Judicial Council said in a statement that it convened on Sunday and approved Umairi's retirement, citing 'health reasons.' Munther Ibrahim Hussein, Deputy Head of the Federal Court of Cassation and a reserve member of the federal court, was appointed as Umairi's replacement. The retirement and replacement require President Abdul Latif Rashid's approval. Umairi was criticised by court members. 'The behavior of the court president is unacceptable to us, and we are tired of dealing with his working manners,' one of the members of the federal court told Rudaw after submitting his resignation. The resignations came ahead of a planned session at the request of public servants in the Kurdistan Region, seeking an injunction to compel the federal government to resume salary payments. However, the resignations have cast the session into uncertainty. Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad intensified in late May when the federal finance ministry halted all budget transfers to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including the salaries of more than 1.2 million public sector employees. The ministry stated that the decision was due to the Region exceeding its 12.67 percent share of the 2025 federal budget. The move has drawn widespread condemnation from Kurdish parties, who argue the suspension is politically driven and unconstitutional.
Rudaw Net
29-06-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Two Iraqi delegations to arrive in Erbil to resolve financial disputes with KRG
Also in Iraq KRG delegation arrives in Baghdad amid efforts to resolve financial disputes Iraq's Victory Coalition to skip election Iraq's marshlands are drying up Sistani rep warns Iraqis to remain vigilant despite Iran-Israel truce A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Two separate delegations from Baghdad are set to arrive in Erbil soon to discuss financial disputes with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), a well-placed source told Rudaw on Thursday. A technical delegation was en route to Erbil at the time of writing while a high-profile and decision-making delegation is set to arrive in the Kurdish capital on Monday, the source said on the condition of anonymity. Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami informed the KRG late May that it could no longer pay the regional government's share from the federal budget, claiming that the funds allocated to the KRG had been exhausted. Erbil has denied the claim, accusing Baghdad of failing to adhere to a February ruling by the federal supreme court which stipulates that the KRG's share should not be impacted by political disputes. The technical delegation will discuss the method of calculating the federal government's share of non-oil revenues that the Kurdistan Region delivers monthly to Baghdad. Federal oil ministry representatives will also discuss with the Kurdish oil officials the obstacles to Kurdistan Region oil exports and company conditions for those exports. Exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been suspended since March 2023, following a ruling by a Paris-based arbitration court that found Turkey had violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing independent exports from Erbil. The other delegation is scheduled to visit the Kurdistan Region on Monday. This is a high-level delegation including representatives from the Iraqi oil and finance ministries and other senior officials to discuss the issues and how to resolve them based on the technical committee's report. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani hoped on Wednesday that the high-level delegation's visit would resolve the disputes. In February, the Iraqi parliament approved amendments to the federal budget law, including a $16-per-barrel fee for production and transport costs for international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the Kurdistan Region. The amendments also require both sides to establish an international technical consultancy within 60 days to assess oil production and transportation costs. If no agreement is reached, the federal council of ministers should appoint the consultancy. Hastyar Qadir contributed to this article.
Rudaw Net
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Sistani rep warns Iraqis to remain vigilant despite Iran-Israel truce
Also in Iraq KRG delegation arrives in Baghdad amid efforts to resolve financial disputes Iraq's Victory Coalition to skip election Iraq's marshlands are drying up Two Iraqi delegations to arrive in Erbil to resolve financial disputes with KRG A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The representative of Iraq's highest Shiite religious authority on Thursday urged Iraqis to be cautious because the country is not immune to the consequences of regional tensions as a United States-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding. 'The current circumstances that the region is going through are extremely dangerous, and the Iraqi people are not immune to the repercussions of the conflict, sooner or later,' said Sheikh Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalai, official spokesperson for Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraqi state media reported. 'Iraqis must arm themselves with awareness and insight in dealing with the serious challenges in the region and passing through the current phase,' he said. 'They must strive to build their country on sound foundations.' Regional tensions remain high as a truce appears to be holding between Israel and Iran, ending 12 days of conflict. Iraq, which is close to Iran and hosts US forces, has expressed concern that further escalation could undermine its fragile post-war recovery. Sistani's office condemned the initial Israeli airstrikes that triggered the conflict, calling them a 'criminal act,' and urged the international community to prevent further bloodshed. The airstrikes killed more than 600 Iranians, including several military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, including women and children. Sistani's office said the attacks demonstrated the 'dangerous and aggressive nature' of Israel's conduct. Twenty-eight people were killed by Iran's strikes on Israel. During the conflict last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not rule out the assassination of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claiming that his death could end the conflict. US President Donald Trump also made inflammatory remarks against Iran and Khamenei, calling the leader an 'easy target,' though he clarified that there are no current plans to assassinate him. Sistani at the time warned against any attempt to target Iran's 'supreme religious and political leadership,' saying it would have grave consequences for the entire region. Regarding the possibility that the conflict between Israel and Iran could be reignited, Trump told reporters in The Hague on Wednesday after attending a NATO summit that "It can start again. I guess someday it can. It could maybe start soon.'
