Baghdad: Iraq’s electoral commission announced that objections to the parliamentary election results will not impact the preliminary outcomes. ‘All objections submitted so far are classified as complaints only,’ revealed Hassan Salman, the commission’s legal adviser, to the state news agency INA. ‘It is not possible to file an appeal against preliminary results.’
According to Anadolu Agency, complaints are categorized into three types: ‘yellow,’ which are minor and dismissed procedurally; ‘green,’ necessitating investigation and resolution within 72 hours; and ‘red,’ which could potentially alter results. Salman emphasized that no ‘red’ complaints have been recorded thus far. The resolution of complaints is anticipated to be swifter than in previous elections, with potential completion by next week.
In addressing the results from polling stations yet to be transmitted, Salman attributed the delay to minor technical issues, asserting that the small number of affected stations does not influence the announced results. Once the Board of Commissioners certifies the final results, there will be a three-day window for appeals, which the board will review within seven days.
Preliminary results from the November 11 elections show the Reconstruction and Development Coalition of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani leading. The commission expects to announce the final results next week, although a specific date has not been provided.
The current four-year term of the 329-seat Council of Representatives began on January 9, 2022. According to Iraqi law, parliamentary elections must be conducted at least 45 days before the legislature’s term ends.