We have received information indicating that the Board of Commissioners of the Independent High Electoral Commission in Iraq intends to deprive the political parties and forces representing minorities of their right to nominate an alternative candidate in place of one excluded from competing for quota seats, restricting this right solely to the general lists. This stands in clear contradiction to the Board of Commissioners’ Decision No. 8, Special Session Meeting Minutes (46), dated 19/8/2025, which in its first clause explicitly states:
“Allowing alliances and political parties to replace their candidates in accordance with the decisions of the Board of Commissioners within three days from the date of publishing the decision on the official website of the Commission.”
Should the Commission proceed with this measure, it would constitute an act of racial discrimination against minorities, a violation of their political representation rights, and a clear breach of the Iraqi Constitution , whose provisions guarantee equality among citizens regardless of ethnicity, color, religion, or political orientation. It is also inconsistent with the principles of minority rights.
We call upon the Commission to treat the political parties representing national minorities on equal footing with the majority parties, without diminishing their national standing or reducing them to mere numbers—an approach that is wholly unacceptable.
YAQOOB GORGEES YAQO
Secretary General of the Assyrian Democratic Movement