Iraq Proposes New Electoral Law to Enhance Transparency Ahead of Elections
Iraq has proposed a new electoral law amendment to improve transparency and competition in the upcoming elections. Key reforms include restructuring districts, capping candidate nominations, and mandating resignations for MPs seeking local posts. The Sainte-Laguë formula will be revised to promote fairer representation for independent candidates. These changes follow discussions between government officials on election preparations.
Iraq is proposing an amendment to its electoral law, aiming to strengthen voting regulations to enhance transparency and prevent political interference. Announced by MP Raed al-Maliki, the draft reforms are designed for fair competition in the upcoming parliamentary elections this October. Key changes include restructuring electoral districts and limiting candidate nominations to one per seat available in each district.
Under the new amendment, each province will serve as a single electoral district, except for Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul, which will have two districts each. A cap on candidates is set corresponding to available seats, addressing issues of duplicate nominations. Moreover, the amendment mandates that 30% of district seats go to leading independent candidates who receive at least 1.5% of votes, with the remaining 70% going to list-based candidates.
The proposal also introduces a revision to the Sainte-Laguë formula, adjusting the divisor from 1.7 to 1.5, which is expected to enhance electoral competitiveness. Additionally, it requires MPs running for local elections to resign their positions, preventing the misuse of public office, and outlaws the use of public services, land grants, or welfare programs during campaigns.
This legislative initiative follows discussions between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and the head of the Independent High Electoral Commission regarding preparations for the elections. While the IHEC has begun updating the voter registry, some lawmakers express skepticism about the formal steps taken for the electoral law amendment, suggesting that discussions remain largely informal, with some labeling them as mere political talk.
Iraq’s proposed electoral law amendment seeks to improve the integrity of its voting process by enforcing stricter regulations. The reforms focus on fostering transparency, reducing political interference, and ensuring fairer competition among candidates. Key measures include restructuring electoral districts, capping candidate nominations, and revising the Sainte-Laguë method. The initiative is a response to ongoing discussions about preparation for the October parliamentary elections, highlighting efforts to enhance electoral fairness and participation.
Original Source: shafaq.com
