Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework Insists on Timely Parliamentary Elections, Rejects Postponement

Peregraf 

The Shiite Coordination Framework in Iraq has reaffirmed its firm stance that the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections must be held on schedule by the end of 2025. The political alliance, which includes several major Shiite parties, declared that no authority has the right to delay or override the official timeline set for the electoral process.

In an official statement, the alliance emphasized: “We stress the importance of protecting Iraq’s democratic trajectory. It is essential to establish the conditions necessary for the elections, including ensuring electoral security and offering full support to the Independent High Electoral Commission.”

This statement comes in response to concerns raised about potential election delays. On Monday, April 7, 2025, Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition—a key member of the Coordination Framework and Iraq’s former prime minister—publicly warned against any postponement. “We do not accept delaying the elections,”al-Maliki said. “The Iraqi constitution does not allow for an ‘emergency government’ scenario. Postponing the elections will only deepen political divisions and further destabilize the country.”

The Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq (IHEC), the body responsible for overseeing elections, has already begun preparations to ensure the polls are conducted on time. As part of the process, voter registration updates began on March 25, 2025, and are scheduled to continue for one month. These updates are crucial to verify voter information and ensure transparency in the electoral process.

IHEC has also stated that elections must take place no later than November 20, 2025, based on constitutional guidelines. A Commission spokesperson noted: “The current session of the Iraqi Council of Representatives began on January 9, 2022. Therefore, the next elections must be scheduled no less than 45 days before the expiration of the current legislative term.”

While the specific election date has yet to be officially announced, setting it is the responsibility of the Presidency of the Iraqi Council of Ministers, in coordination with the IHEC. Political observers expect this decision to be made soon, as pressure mounts from both domestic parties and international stakeholders to ensure Iraq's democratic processes remain intact.