Iraq: objections won’t affect results

Iraq’s election commission said on Saturday that objections to the parliamentary election results will not affect the preliminary outcomes.

Hassan Salman, the commission’s legal adviser, told the state news agency INA that “all objections submitted so far are considered complaints only, and it is not possible to appeal the preliminary results.”

Salman explained that complaints are classified into three categories: minor “yellow” complaints, “green” complaints requiring investigation, and “red” complaints that could potentially affect results. He noted that no “red” complaints have been recorded so far. He added that resolving complaints could be faster than in previous elections and is expected to conclude next week.

Regarding polling stations whose results have not yet been transmitted, Salman said the delay is due to technical issues, and the number of affected stations is small and does not influence the announced results.

He also noted that once the Board of Commissioners certifies the final results, there will be a three-day window to file appeals, which the board will review within seven days.

Preliminary results from the 11 November elections place Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition in first place. The commission expects to announce the final results next week.

The current 329-member Council of Representatives began its four-year term on 9 January 2022. Under Iraqi law, parliamentary elections must be held at least 45 days before the end of the legislature’s term.

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