Iraq’s electoral commission fines top politicians, including PM, for campaign violations

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission on Thursday imposed fines of 2 million Iraqi dinars ($1,412) against several political figures— including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani—for violating campaign regulations ahead of the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections.

The decision followed a special session of the Commission’s Board of Commissioners and a review of a memorandum from the board’s General Secretariat citing violations. Other individuals fined include former Prime Minister and State of Law Coalition leader Nouri Al-Maliki, Azm Alliance head Muthanna Al-Samarrai, and First Deputy Speaker Mohsen Al-Mandalawi.

The commission said the fines apply to each violation individually and are part of its enforcement of electoral laws.

The Central Monitoring Committee was instructed to notify violators and oversee the removal of unapproved campaign materials. If violations are not addressed, fines will be doubled in accordance with Article 23 of the campaign rules.

The Commission also directed the electoral administration to take necessary legal and procedural measures. The board’s decision was passed by majority vote.

Parliamentary elections are scheduled for Nov. 11. Campaigning is set to begin Oct. 9.

Last week, the Commission said it was fully prepared to conduct the vote on schedule and would implement new monitoring tools, including oversight of social media, to counter extremist or unlawful rhetoric during the campaign period.