Dara Sekaniani, a Kurdish lawmaker and member of the Iraqi parliament, defended the decision in an interview with The New Arab. [Dana Taib Menmy /TNA]
Iraq‘s House of Representatives voted on Monday to extend the term of the Board of Commissioners in the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) for an additional two years, sparking legal and political debates.
In a statement, the parliament‘s Media Office confirmed that during Monday’s session, lawmakers approved the extension of IHEC‘s Board of Commissioners. However, the move has drawn criticism, with some arguing that it violates constitutional provisions and parliamentary authority.
Legal and political reactions
Dara Sekaniani, a Kurdish lawmaker and member of the Iraqi parliament, defended the extension in an interview with The New Arab. He explained that while the extension ideally should have been decided by parliament, the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council stepped in to prevent the commission from operating beyond its legal term.
Sekaniani dismissed concerns that the parliamentary elections, set for later this year, would be delayed, noting that elections have remained on schedule in Iraq‘s last five cycles. However, he acknowledged that future political instability could still pose challenges.
Conversely, Choman Mohammed, head of the legal division at the Kurdish Change Movement, condemned the extension as “unconstitutional”. Writing on his official Facebook page, Mohammed stated, “Extending the term of the Iraqi Electoral Commissioners is unconstitutional and illegal, creating issues for Iraq’s parliamentary elections.”
He highlighted that, under Law No. 31 of 2019, the IHEC’s Board of Commissioners serves a four-year term.
Although parliament previously extended the board’s tenure twice to accommodate provincial and Kurdistan parliamentary elections, Mohammed criticised the Supreme Judicial Council’s unprecedented decision to extend the board’s term until 1 June 2027. According to him, such authority lies solely with parliament, and the council’s action could face legal challenges in the Federal Court.
UNAMI and election preparations
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has expressed support for the decision to extend the IHEC’s term. In a statement, UNAMI emphasised the importance of adhering to constitutional obligations and ensuring timely parliamentary elections. The mission reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical assistance to IHEC to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
The Supreme Judicial Council’s decision, announced last Wednesday, allowed for the two-year extension while noting that parliament retains the authority to amend election laws if it adopts a “different political vision.”
Parliament endorsed the decision on Monday, marking the third renewal of the commission’s mandate.
The IHEC recently supervised the Iraqi Kurdistan Region‘s elections on 20 October and is now preparing for Iraq’s parliamentary elections later this year.Â
Critics fear that any legal challenges or delays in amending election laws could complicate preparations and jeopardise the electoral timeline. Elections require extensive planning, and the sixth parliamentary term elections are constitutionally required to take place by 9 December 2026.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are considering amendments to the electoral law to address ongoing concerns and streamline election processes.
As Iraq navigates legal and political complexities, the stability of its electoral framework remains crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring a peaceful democratic transition.