Iraq’s electoral commission says no ‘red’ complaints filed

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission said Thursday that none of the complaints filed over the Nov. 11 parliamentary elections are serious enough to affect the outcome, and the process of certifying final results could conclude ahead of schedule.

Commission legal adviser Hassan Salman told state-run Al-Iraqiya News that all objections received so far are classified as complaints, not appeals, because the law allows challenges only after final results are certified.

“The commission has not recorded any red complaints so far,” Salman said, referring to the most serious category that could alter results.

He said complaints are divided into three levels: yellow, which are dismissed on procedural grounds; green, which require investigation within 72 hours; and red, which may influence results.

Salman said the small number of complaints and absence of serious ones could shorten the timeline for final certification. He added that non-transmitted polling-station results were caused by “limited technical issues common in all electoral processes” and do not affect the announced preliminary results.

Under Iraqi election law, parties may submit appeals within three days after final results are certified by the Board of Commissioners. Appeals must be reviewed within seven days, and the entire process may extend about 20 days.

The Supreme Judicial Council on Thursday called on political parties that won seats to move quickly toward forming the new parliament and government within constitutional deadlines.