Iraqi Parliament to Extend Election Commission’s Term Ahead of Parliamentary Elections

Peregraf

The Iraqi parliament has scheduled a meeting for Sunday, January 5, to discuss extending the term of the Iraqi High Election Commission (IHEC). This move aims to ensure the commission's continued work in organizing the sixth round of parliamentary elections, anticipated later this year.

"We have been invited to the meeting to decide on the extension of the term of the High Election Commission," MP Delan Ghafoor told Peregraf. She added that the extension is necessary, as forming a new commission in the coming months would be impractical given the tight timeline for elections, expected in October or November 2025.

Previously, on May 22, 2024, the parliament unanimously approved a six-month extension of the IHEC’s mandate to oversee the October 20, 2024, Kurdistan parliamentary elections. That extension is set to expire on January 7, 2025.

Iraq last held parliamentary elections on October 10, 2021, and the current parliament began its term on January 9, 2022. According to the Iraqi constitution, new elections must be conducted 45 days before the end of the four-year term, meaning the next parliamentary vote must take place before November 25, 2025.