Mass Banning Of Candidates Could Be Around The Corner In Iraq

Iraq is set for parliamentary elections this November. The biggest news isn’t the platforms of the parties vying for power but rather the mass banning of candidates. Almost 600 have been disqualified so far for crimes and Baathist ties. Reports are this is the tip of the iceberg.

 

Disqualifying candidates began in August. At the start of the month a mere 20 had been barred. That quickly escalated however with more than 580 being banned as of August 25. Around half were barred by the Election Commission for various crimes while the rest were done by the Accountability and Justice Commission for their Baathist pasts.

 

This includes some very prominent figures. Former Salahaddin Governor Ahmed al-Jabouri, former Ninewa Governor Najm al-Jabouri, ex-Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani, former commander of the Counter Terror Services General Abdul Ghani al-Asadi have all been removed.

 

Al Mada reported that up to 2000 may be disqualified in the end.

 

Nuri al-Maliki and his State of Law have been supporting these moves so they may be the main beneficiaries. Maliki wants to become the prime minister for the third time and is actively working against Premier Mohammed al-Sudani. Maliki was behind a similar move in 2010 when he successfully held onto office.

 

At the same time it’s surprising that the other parties haven’t pushed back. They may be holding off hoping that they can appeal their cases or simply replace the banned candidates with new ones. They could be running out of time however.

 

SOURCES

 

Al Aalem, "The exclusion of 68 candidates sparks controversy, and the commission defends itself Will the elections ignite before they even begin?” 8/12/25

- "The Framework supports the Commission’s exclusions: a law or fuel for electoral conflict?” 8/20/25

- “A wave of exclusions: 281 candidates, including former ministers and MPs, withdraw from the elections," 8/17/25

 

Bas News, “Commission Disqualifies 470 Candidates Ahead of Iraq Elections," 8/20/25

 

Al Mada, “Election campaigns warn of a coup and the return of Baath elements,” 8/10/25

- “A quarter of the candidates are threatened with disqualification. The coming weeks will be full of surprises,” 8/25/25

 

Rudaw, "Over 540 disqualified from Iraq’s November ballot over Ba’th ties, crimes,” 8/20/25

 

Shafaq News, “IHEC disqualifies +30 candidates ahead of November’s election,” 8/24/25