Iraqi electoral commission expels candidate from vote

BAGHDAD, December 18 — The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) expelled Marlyn Talib Rumaili, the 24th candidate of the Siyada Party, from the election process on Monday amid accusations of vote buying.

IHEC’s move comes as four Interior Ministry employees were implicated in aiding the candidate in purchasing votes in Salah Al-Din governate. The employees were identified as Marwan Mustafa Musa, Anmar Ahmad Musa, Abdulqadir Ahmad Askar, and Ayad Khalaf.

The expulsion underscored the Commission’s assurances that it would maintain the integrity of the vote.