Iraqi parliament's attempt to amend electoral law met with anger
The controversial amendment, which will benefit Iraq's larger political parties at the expense of independent ones, is causing political division in the country between the ruling coalition and Sadrists, among others.
Iraq's parliament on Monday finished the first reading of the amendment to the Provincial Council Elections Law, which regulates provincial council elections and the appointment of the governors. The amendment could enable Iraq's major parties to gain power vis-a-vis relatively new independent political actors.
Background: Iraq has two elections, per its constitution: one for parliament and one to form the provincial councils in charge of local governments. The last parliamentary elections were held in 2021, while the last provincial elections were in 2013.
The 2013 provincial elections were held in only 12 out of 18 provinces. The provinces in the Kurdistan Region and Kirkuk were excluded due to political disagreements, and Nineveh and Anbar were excluded due to security concerns prior to the Islamic State taking over these areas.
Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani included the provincial elections in his government program, and they are expected to be held in October of this year.
