Candidate disqualifications rise to 788 ahead of November elections

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission released updated figures Wednesday on disqualified and reinstated candidates ahead of the parliamentary elections set for Nov. 11.

Emad Jameel, head of the commission’s media team, told the Iraqi News Agency that 7,734 candidates remain in the race. He said 788 candidates have been disqualified, while 53 were reinstated after their appeals were accepted by the judicial panel.

Earlier this month, the commission said preparations for the vote are moving forward, including distribution of biometric voter cards and a final review of candidates.

According to IHEC, 3.58 million biometric cards have been printed for voters who registered or updated their records in 2024. Distribution will begin in September through 1,079 registration centers.

Polling site layouts have also been completed, with 39,285 polling stations spread across 8,703 centers. Each station is designed to serve about 550 voters, covering more than 20 million eligible Iraqis.