Peregraf
The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has extended the deadline for registering political alliances ahead of Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections. In a statement to Peregraf, IHEC spokesperson Jumana al-Ghalai confirmed that “the Board of Commissioners decided to extend the period for registering alliances until the end of the official working day on May 14.”
The move comes as part of broader preparations for Iraq’s national elections, scheduled for November 11, 2025. The official registration period for parties, coalitions, and independent candidates will begin on April 15, 2025, and was initially set to end on May 4. Candidates will now have ten additional days to finalize their applications.
Al-Ghalai also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to holding the elections on schedule. “We are fully prepared to oversee the electoral process according to the legal timeline,” she told Peregraf.
The elections mark a critical milestone for Iraq’s democratic process. According to Election Law No. 12 of 2018, parliamentary elections must be held at least 45 days before the end of the current legislative term, which began on January 9, 2022, and concludes on January 9, 2026.
To facilitate a smooth electoral process, Iraq’s Parliament extended IHEC’s mandate during a session held on January 13, 2025. The new mandate runs from January 7, 2025, to January 6, 2027—ensuring the commission’s oversight during both the preparations and post-election period. Lawmakers described the extension as essential for maintaining electoral stability and transparency.
Iraq last held parliamentary elections on October 10, 2021, in response to widespread public protests demanding political reform. Those elections inaugurated the country’s fifth parliamentary term.