Iraq’s election commission disqualifies former Kirkuk governor Rakan al-Jubouri

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission on Sunday disqualified parliamentary candidate Rakan al-Jubouri, the former governor of Kirkuk, citing violations of election law.

In a statement dated Aug. 24, 2025, the commission said its Candidate Eligibility Committee found al-Jubouri in breach of Article 7/Third of the 2018 Election Law No. 12, which governs the Council of Representatives and local councils.

The provision requires that candidates demonstrate “good conduct and behavior” and prohibits those convicted of financial or administrative corruption or other dishonorable crimes, unless cleared by a final court ruling.

Al-Jubouri, who served as acting governor of Kirkuk from 2017 until late 2024, faced multiple corruption allegations during his tenure. On April 21, 2025, Baghdad’s Karkh Investigative Court for Integrity Cases ordered his detention under Article 340 of the Penal Code on charges of wasting public funds, including inflated vehicle purchases. Lawmaker Dilan Ghafoor told 964media she had submitted more than 10 case files against him, citing alleged misuse of reconstruction funds, mismanagement of the Kirkuk airport project, and attempts to obstruct integrity investigations.

“The law stresses integrity and sound past conduct from a legal and ethical standpoint, particularly in relation to crimes tied to corruption and public trust,” the commission said.

The decision instructs the election administration to begin procedural steps and will be published on the commission’s official website.

Al-Jubouri’s exclusion comes days after the commission announced that 581 candidates had been barred from the Nov. 11 elections for legal, security, and procedural reasons. Sunday’s ruling added 37 more names, bringing the total to 618. Excluded candidates have three days to appeal.