Iraq election commission cleared to resume work after fraud probe
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Baghdad’s new parliament has revoked an earlier decision by former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to freeze the activities of the Independent High Electoral Commission while it was investigated for fraud.
MPs have also agreed to consolidate the number of parliamentary committees.
“The parliament decided that the election commission can resume its works,” Bashar Kiki, a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) MP, told Rudaw.
“This comes after nothing was proven against the commission. This decision was important so the commission can make preparation for provincial elections and so that money is spent for commission employees,” he added.
Provincial elections are scheduled to take place on December 22, but due to delays in forming the new parliament these are likely to be delayed.
The previous parliament froze the functions of the election commission due to allegations of fraud in the May 12 Iraqi parliamentary election. MPs assigned a panel of judges to investigate complaints. Abadi extended the decision even after the election results were approved.
The formation of Iraq’s new government was delayed by months as allegations of widespread rigging were investigated. A partial manual recount was ordered at polling stations where the results were disputed. No significant abnormalities were officially disclosed.
The election saw an historically low turnout.
The parliament also agreed on Saturday to reduce the number of permanent committees from 27 to 22. Kurdish MPs are satisfied with their share of positions on these committees, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) MP Rebwar Taha told Rudaw.
“We as Kurds are satisfied with the assignment of members in committees and we have become members of the committees we wanted,” he added.
Each committee should consist of no fewer than seven members and no more than 19.
MPs have also agreed to consolidate the number of parliamentary committees.
“The parliament decided that the election commission can resume its works,” Bashar Kiki, a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) MP, told Rudaw.
“This comes after nothing was proven against the commission. This decision was important so the commission can make preparation for provincial elections and so that money is spent for commission employees,” he added.
Provincial elections are scheduled to take place on December 22, but due to delays in forming the new parliament these are likely to be delayed.
The previous parliament froze the functions of the election commission due to allegations of fraud in the May 12 Iraqi parliamentary election. MPs assigned a panel of judges to investigate complaints. Abadi extended the decision even after the election results were approved.
The formation of Iraq’s new government was delayed by months as allegations of widespread rigging were investigated. A partial manual recount was ordered at polling stations where the results were disputed. No significant abnormalities were officially disclosed.
The election saw an historically low turnout.
The parliament also agreed on Saturday to reduce the number of permanent committees from 27 to 22. Kurdish MPs are satisfied with their share of positions on these committees, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) MP Rebwar Taha told Rudaw.
“We as Kurds are satisfied with the assignment of members in committees and we have become members of the committees we wanted,” he added.
Each committee should consist of no fewer than seven members and no more than 19.