Iraqi court certifies election results

Iraq’s Supreme Court today certified the results of the October elections. 

Judge Jasim Muhammad Abud announced the decision in a statement that was published by the official Iraq Media Network. 

Iraq held nationwide elections in October. Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s list won the most seats, securing 73 of the 329 seats in parliament. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (the largest party in the autonomous Kurdistan Region) and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's State of Law Coalition also did well, winning more than 30 seats each. 

Parties affiliated with Iran-backed militias within the Popular Mobilization Units performed poorly in the contest. Some militia supporters clashed with security forces in November while protesting the results, alleging that the election was rigged. 

The court’s decision is a blow to Iran’s allies in Iraq. Hadi al-Amiri of the Fatah Alliance said they would abide by the court’s ruling. The Asaib Ahl al-Haq armed group criticized the ruling, Reuters reported. 

Sadr praised the decision in a statement on Twitter. 

Iraqi President Barham Salih has 15 days to convene parliament now that the results have been certified.