IHEC says 400 appeals filed against 2025 election results as deadline closes

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission said Thursday that 400 appeals have been filed against the results of the 2025 parliamentary elections, as the three-day window for challenges closed at the end of official working hours.

IHEC spokesperson Jumana Al-Ghalai said “the number of appeals against the results of the 2025 Council of Representatives elections has risen to 400.” She confirmed that Thursday marked the final day for candidates and political blocs to submit objections.

Al-Ghalai said the Commission has completed its review of earlier complaints. She reported that 71 “yellow” complaints were dismissed by the Board of Commissioners for lack of evidence. Of the 32 “green” complaints, some have been dismissed while others remain under investigation.

The IHEC released the final election results on Monday, confirming turnout above 56 percent and publishing the distribution of all 329 parliamentary seats across the country’s 18 governorates. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition secured 46 seats, finishing first nationwide, followed by Nouri Al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition with 29. Mohammed Al-Halbousi’s Taqaddum and Qais Al-Khazali’s Sadiqoon Movement each won 27.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party secured 26 seats, while Hadi Al-Amiri’s Badr Organization and Ammar Al-Hakim’s National State Forces Alliance won 18 each. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan took 15 seats, alongside smaller blocs with representation across Baghdad, the Kurdistan Region and southern and western governorates.

IHEC recorded 729,923 invalid ballots nationwide, with some of the highest totals registered in the Kurdistan Region as well as Baghdad, Nineveh and Diyala. The Commission said appeals will now move to judicial review before final certification by the Federal Supreme Court.