Iraqi Judicial Council Extends IHEC’s Commissioners’ Terms by Two Years

PUKMEDIA

IHEC logo.

The Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council has announced the extension of the terms of the members of the Board of Commissioners of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) of Iraq for the current session by two years. The Iraqi parliament is authorised, within its legislative powers, to amend the Law of the Electoral Commission if deemed necessary.

According to a letter issued by the Department of Judges and Public Prosecutors Affairs on 8 January 2025, a copy of which was obtained by PUKMEDIA, the Supreme Judicial Council decided to extend the commissioners’ terms for two years, from 7 January 2025 to 6 January 2027.

The letter also stated that if a political vision arises contrary to the Judicial Council’s decision, the Iraqi parliament may amend the IHEC Law No. 31 of 2019 through its legislative powers.

The Board of Commissioners comprises nine members: five first-class judges selected by the Supreme Judicial Council, two first-class judges from candidates nominated by the Kurdistan Region’s Judicial Council, and two State Council advisors nominated by the State Council and selected by the Supreme Judicial Council.

The IHEC is a constitutional institution established under Article 102 of the Iraqi Constitution and the Commission Law No. 11 of 2007. It replaced the Independent High Electoral Commission in Iraq/Transitional Electoral Commission, which oversaw the 2005 elections and constitutional referendum.

The six-month extension previously granted by the Iraqi parliament to allow the Board of Commissioners to oversee the Kurdistan Parliament elections held on 20 October 2024 expired on Sunday, 5 January 2025.



PUKMEDIA