ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s electoral body has barred more than 60 political parties from participating in the upcoming parliamentary elections for failing to meet requirements, an official told Rudaw on Monday.
Hayman Tahsin, head of the political parties' department at the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), told Rudaw that 349 political parties are registered in Iraq and have rights to all political activities.
Of these, only 56 political parties are taking part in the November 11 parliamentary polls.
“Some of these political parties themselves choose not to participate, while more than 60 parties are not allowed to participate due to the electoral commission's procedures,” Tahsin noted.
One of the political parties unable to participate in the race is the Kurdish Change Movement (Gorran), which has been hindered by internal disputes and leadership challenges. Its failure to hold a party congress - an IHEC requirement for election participation - has ultimately prevented it from contesting the polls.
Gorran emerged on the scene and made history in 2009 by winning 25 seats in the Kurdistan Region’s 111-seat parliament, becoming the first opposition party to make significant electoral gains, campaigning on a platform of reform and transparency.
The party, however, has suffered a steep decline in popularity, particularly after controversial decisions such as handing power to the sons of founder Nawshirwan Mustafa following his death, and entering into alliances with the Region's ruling parties - moves many viewed as a betrayal of its reformist roots. In Iraq’s 2021 parliamentary elections, Gorran failed to secure a single seat.
According to IHEC data, 31 political alliances, 38 parties, and 23 independent candidates are contesting the elections. In total, 7,768 candidates - 5,520 men and 2,248 women - are running for 329 parliamentary seats, including nine reserved for minority groups.
Hayman Tahsin, head of the political parties' department at the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), told Rudaw that 349 political parties are registered in Iraq and have rights to all political activities.
Of these, only 56 political parties are taking part in the November 11 parliamentary polls.
“Some of these political parties themselves choose not to participate, while more than 60 parties are not allowed to participate due to the electoral commission's procedures,” Tahsin noted.
One of the political parties unable to participate in the race is the Kurdish Change Movement (Gorran), which has been hindered by internal disputes and leadership challenges. Its failure to hold a party congress - an IHEC requirement for election participation - has ultimately prevented it from contesting the polls.
Gorran emerged on the scene and made history in 2009 by winning 25 seats in the Kurdistan Region’s 111-seat parliament, becoming the first opposition party to make significant electoral gains, campaigning on a platform of reform and transparency.
The party, however, has suffered a steep decline in popularity, particularly after controversial decisions such as handing power to the sons of founder Nawshirwan Mustafa following his death, and entering into alliances with the Region's ruling parties - moves many viewed as a betrayal of its reformist roots. In Iraq’s 2021 parliamentary elections, Gorran failed to secure a single seat.
According to IHEC data, 31 political alliances, 38 parties, and 23 independent candidates are contesting the elections. In total, 7,768 candidates - 5,520 men and 2,248 women - are running for 329 parliamentary seats, including nine reserved for minority groups.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment