Iraq Proposes Amendments to Electoral Law to Foster Transparency and Fairness

Iraq has drafted new amendments to its electoral law aimed at enhancing transparency and preventing political interference ahead of the October parliamentary elections. The proposal includes changes to district operations, candidate nominations, seat allocations for independent candidates, and mandatory resignations for certain officials during elections. The discussions surrounding the amendment remain informal, according to some lawmakers.

On Tuesday, Iraq’s parliamentary legal committee announced a proposed amendment to its electoral law aimed at enhancing voting regulations. This initiative, presented by committee member MP Raed al-Maliki, seeks to improve transparency, prevent political interference, and ensure fair competition ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in October.

The proposed reforms suggest that each province would operate as a single electoral district, with the exception of Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul, which would be further divided into two districts each. An important element of the amendment is the capping of the number of candidates per electoral list to match the number of available seats in each district, thereby addressing the issue of duplicate nominations.

Furthermore, the draft allocates 30% of seats in each district to independent candidates who attain a minimum of 1.5% of the vote, while the remaining 70% would be awarded to list-based candidates. A modification to the Sainte-Laguë formula is also proposed, which entails lowering the divisor from 1.7 to 1.5 to foster greater electoral competitiveness.

Additional measures in the amendment include mandatory resignations for members of parliament running in local elections and a prohibition on the use of welfare programs or public services for campaigning. This proposal follows a meeting between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and the head of the Independent High Electoral Commission to strategize for the upcoming elections.

Some lawmakers, such as Mohammed Aunouz from the legal committee, have indicated that no official steps towards amending the election law have been undertaken, implying that negotiations are occurring informally. Aunouz has referred to these discussions as predominantly “political talk.” The Sainte-Laguë method, which Iraq currently employs for parliamentary seat allocation, aims to ensure equitable representation for smaller parties based on proportionality. The proposed adjustment to the divisor seeks to enhance opportunities for independent candidates and emerging political parties.

In conclusion, Iraq’s proposed amendments to its electoral law represent significant reforms aimed at enhancing electoral integrity and competitiveness. The focus on improving transparency, limiting political interference, and ensuring equitable representation for independent candidates reflects a progressive step towards a fairer electoral process. As discussions continue and preparations for the October elections advance, the effectiveness of these proposed changes will be closely monitored.

Original Source: shafaq.com