Iraqi electoral body to open candidate registration May 25

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi electoral commission will begin accepting candidate registrations for the upcoming legislative elections on May 25, according to a decree by the body.

The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced on Wednesday that candidate registration for the upcoming elections will begin on May 25 and continue through June 24.

Imad Jamil, the head of the IHEC media team, told Rudaw on Thursday that this period, in addition to the lists of candidates from parties and alliances, independent candidates will also be accepted.

For the third time, the IHEC has extended the registration deadline for parties, alliances, and independent lists, with the final day for registration being May 20.

Jamil explained that after the nomination period ends, the screening process will be completed within 15 days. This process will be conducted by the ministries of interior, education, higher education, and the integrity, accountability, and judicial commissions.

Iraqi parliamentary elections, which includes the Kurdistan Region, are set to be held on November 11. 

The vote will be held without any amendments to the Sainte-Lague election method, which is expected to disadvantage smaller parties and independents, instead favoring better-funded, more established parties.

The IHEC has divided the country into 18 electoral districts. Each list or alliance is allowed to nominate twice the number of seats allocated to their district.