BAGHDAD — According to several political blocs, Iraq's parliament is too big and the number of representatives should be cut significantly to improve efficiency, eliminate corruption and save money. Others say there should be more members because of a population increase and a cut would require a constitutional amendment.

The idea of reducing the number of parliament members is not new; the executive branch called for a cut Feb. 25. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said a downsizing would be a step toward reducing expenditures and bringing about the reform desired by his government. Abadi's Cabinet approved his sweeping reform proposals designed to eliminate corruption earlier this month, but they still need parliamentary approval. Hundreds of protesters have demonstrated in support of reform.

There are currently 328 parliament members. Abdul-Hadi al-Hakim, a member of the Citizens bloc, formally asked the speaker's office Aug. 11 to consider reducing the number of members. The parliamentary Legal Committee announced Aug. 19 it had received and deliberated the request. Sam Chawki, a Legal Committee member, said that so far the signatures of 78 parliament members who favor the reduction have been collected. The committee has also recommended that the issue be decided with input at the provincial level.

"If the 'yes' vote prevails [in the provinces], the number of parliament members will be reduced by more than one-third or probably by half," he said. This would result in each candidate representing about 250,000 people, rather than 100,000, Chawki added. "This is why the proposal was welcomed and supported by the majority of political parties.”