IHEC Disqualifies Dozens of Candidates Over Academic Irregularities

PUKMEDIA

IHEC logo.

The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has disqualified 14 candidates from the upcoming parliamentary elections after it was found they had submitted inaccurate information about their academic qualifications in their CVs.

Hassan Hadi Zaer, a member of the Commission’s media team, stated in a press release: “The IHEC is carrying out a comprehensive review of candidate lists and personal records. It has come to light that several candidates falsely claimed to hold bachelor’s degrees. Upon verification, these claims were proven to be untrue.”

He added that the leaders of the electoral lists concerned had been contacted and requested to replace the disqualified individuals with eligible candidates who meet the required qualifications.

In a related decision, the Board of Commissioners also disqualified 14 candidates from the Al-Qudra Party’s list in the Baghdad electoral district, on the grounds that the party itself does not meet the legal requirements to participate in the elections. As a result, all of its candidates have been removed from the ballot.

Furthermore, 10 candidates from the National Pledge list and 10 candidates from the Alternative Alliance list were also disqualified due to legal and organisational violations, as confirmed by the Commission.

These developments come as the Iraqi Council of Ministers, during a session held on 9 April 2025, officially scheduled 11 November 2025 as the date for the country’s next parliamentary elections.



PUKMEDIA