Muhannad Al-Khazraji, the disqualified winning candidate for Baghdad from the Badr Organization.
Winning Badr candidate disqualified over alleged fictitious PMF brigade
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission on Tuesday disqualified Muhannad Al-Khazraji, the Badr Organization’s winning candidate in Baghdad, ruling that he failed to meet the requirement of good conduct after reviewing complaints that included allegations he attempted to form a fictitious Popular Mobilization Forces brigade during the election period.
In its directive, the Board of Commissioners said it adopted the recommendation of the Candidate Eligibility Audit Committee after reviewing case files and evidence compiled under Order 79 of 2024. The ruling said Al-Khazraji did not meet standards under Article 12 of Elections Law No. 12 of 2018, citing violations of “laws, regulations and rules of conduct issued by the Commission.” It instructed the electoral administration to take follow-up steps and publish the decision electronically.
Al-Khazraji rejected the allegations in a statement on X, accusing “fake channels and pages” of spreading “false and misleading news.” He said the accusations “have no basis in truth and aim to mislead public opinion,” adding that “all legal measures will be taken against anyone who spreads lies.”
A Commission source told 964media the move followed “dozens of complaints” related to claims that Al-Khazraji opened volunteer registration for youths in an unrecognized formation before the vote, then shut it down after results were announced. The source said the case advanced after weeks of verification.
The Rusafa Investigative Court sent a letter to the PMF Security Directorate asking whether a brigade called “Liwa’ Shuhada’ Al-Nasr” exists within PMF structures and whether it opened recruitment in recent months. The court sought clarification on whether any such group operated during the election period or whether it involved Al-Khazraji or people linked to him.
The disqualification comes as the IHEC continues post-election vetting. In recent days, the Commission also excluded six candidates and voided their votes after determining their educational documents were forged or invalid. The decisions affected candidates from the Unified Salah al-Din Alliance, the National Hasm Alliance, the Sovereignty Alliance and others.
The IHEC released the final results of the Nov. 11 parliamentary elections on Nov. 18, confirming turnout above 56 percent and allocating all 329 seats. The Reconstruction and Development Coalition won 46 seats, followed by State of Law with 29, while the Badr Organization secured 18. The results are now under the standard objection and judicial review period.