Coordination Framework Moves To Re-Write Iraq’s Election Rules

(The National)

On March 27 Iraq’s parliament voted to amend the Election Law and return to the old system of having each province be its own voting district. This overturned the 2021 amendment that broke up governorates into multiple districts which allowed the emergence of several new parties and led to large defeats for some of the more established ones.

 

Independents who were the beneficiary of the last balloting attempted to block the vote. They marched out of parliament to deny a quorum. When they returned they were protesting which led Speaker Halbusi to have the security forces expel them. That allowed the Coordination Framework to pass the amendment.

 

Parliament’s actions set off protests in several southern cities which continues to this day. Demonstrations have been rare and not long lasting after the 2019 movement was broken up by the government’s forces using violence and intimidation. They did help push the last parliament to create the 2021 voting system which was just overturned.

 

The Framework was the main list pushing for the change in the law. That’s because many of its elements did badly in the last election. The old system also helps large lists which have the money and organization to run candidates across entire provinces. The small independents lack these resources so they will be at a disadvantage which was another motivation for the Framework.

 

The Framework now wants to take over the Election Commission. That will allow it to control the voting process and cheat unencumbered. The large parties have a history of buying voting cards, stuffing ballot boxes, offering gifts for support and more. The Framework could do all this without having to worry about the Commission overturning any balloting if it takes over the body. It can also dismiss complaints by its opponents about these practices.

 

This is all meant to consolidate the power of the major parties who have ruled Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein. 2021 was a shock to many of them when they had to actually compete with others. They have learned their lesson and want to go back to a system that they can manipulate and control. It’s the latest example of how Iraq is a very flawed and limited democracy where the ruling parties only care about power and not the public they are supposed to serve.

 

SOURCES

 

Asharq Al-Awsat, “Iraqi Parliament Passes Controversial Vote Law Amendments,” 3/27/23

 

Al Mada, “The Coordination Framework is preparing to abolish the Judicial Commission and the Kirkuk elections for the first time, according to the 1957 census,” 3/28/23

 

Mahmoud, Sinan, “Iraqi parliament approves amendments to election law despite objections,” 3/27/23

 

NINA, “Demonstrations continue in Kut, rejecting the election law,” 3/28/23

- “Demonstrators block Babylon Road to the southern govern orates, to protest the passage of the election law,” 3/27/23

- “Protesters erect tents and block the entrances to Al-Haboubi Street with concrete blocks,” 3/27/23