Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission firmly denies rumors about reopening candidate registration or accepting new lists for the upcoming parliamentary elections, emphasizing that the nomination process has officially concluded and preparations continue according to schedule.
Commission Rejects Rumors of Extended Registration Period
The Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq has categorically denied circulating reports suggesting the reopening of candidate registration or acceptance of new electoral lists for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Imad Jamil, head of the commission’s media team, told Channel 8 that no requests have been received from the Shiite National Current (Sadr Movement) to register their list for election participation.
The commission spokesperson emphasized that the candidate nomination process has definitively concluded, with no decision made to accept new lists. “There is no decision to accept new lists until now,” Jamil stated, addressing speculation about potential extensions to the registration deadline.
Recent rumors had suggested that the commission might reopen the registration process for 48 hours, particularly following reports of negotiations between various Shiite leaders and Muqtada al-Sadr regarding a potential reversal of his boycott decision. However, the commission has moved quickly to dispel these claims, maintaining that all electoral preparations proceed according to their predetermined timeline.
Current Electoral Process Status and Timeline
According to Jamil, the commission currently operates according to a specific schedule for conducting elections, and reopening the candidate registration door has no basis at this time. The electoral body has transitioned to the candidate list review phase, focusing on verification procedures and coordination with relevant authorities for list approval.
The commission is presently engaged in scrutinizing candidate names and forwarding them to relevant parties for the approval process. This systematic approach ensures that all submitted lists undergo proper vetting before final acceptance for the electoral competition.
Iraq’s Council of Ministers has scheduled the sixth session of the Iraqi Parliament elections for November 11, 2025. The commission continues its preparations for this crucial democratic exercise, maintaining adherence to established protocols and timelines despite external pressure and speculation about potential changes to the registration process.
Verification and Approval Procedures Underway
The electoral commission has reached the stage of candidate list verification, involving detailed examination of submitted documentation and coordination with associated parties for final approval. This process includes conducting draws to assign numbers to approved electoral lists, a standard procedure in Iraqi electoral preparations.
Jamil confirmed that the commission has entered the phase of “scrutinizing candidate lists, sending them to relevant parties, conducting the approval process for these lists, and performing draws to assign numbers to the lists.” This methodical approach ensures electoral integrity and proper candidate qualification verification.
The commission’s firm stance on maintaining established deadlines reflects its commitment to electoral process credibility and timeline adherence. Despite ongoing political negotiations and speculation about potential changes, the electoral body continues operating within its predetermined framework, ensuring that the upcoming parliamentary elections proceed according to constitutional requirements and established procedures.
The November 2025 elections represent a significant milestone in Iraq’s democratic process, with the commission working diligently to ensure transparent and credible electoral procedures while resisting external pressures that might compromise the integrity of the established timeline and processes.
