On December 7, 2025, Iraq’s turbulent path toward parliamentary stability took a decisive turn as the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced it had resolved all 853 appeals submitted against the results of the country’s November 11 parliamentary elections. According to the Supreme Judicial Council, the commission refrained from disclosing details about the specific rulings on each case, leaving many candidates and parties in suspense regarding the fate of individual appeals. Yet, the machinery of Iraqi democracy pressed forward, with the next steps now set in motion.
Legal expert Habib Al-Quraishi, speaking to Shafaq News, explained, “Once ratified, the Iraqi president will set the date for the first parliamentary session to elect the speaker and deputies.” He predicted that the Federal Supreme Court would approve the results promptly, clearing the way for the new parliament to convene later this year. This procedural rhythm, while familiar, carries new weight given the political stakes and shifting alliances on display in the wake of the election.
Iraq’s sixth parliamentary elections since 2003 saw a voter turnout exceeding 56%, a figure that, while not staggering, demonstrates a persistent civic engagement even amid political uncertainty. Under Article 20 of the IHEC Law, parties and candidates are entitled to challenge the final results issued by the Board of Commissioners. The process is designed to be accessible and timely: appeals may be submitted at the National Office, at any electoral branch, or directly to the Electoral Judicial Panel, starting the day after the results are published.
Once an appeal is filed, the Board of Commissioners must respond to the Panel’s requests within three working days. The Panel, in turn, is required to rule on each case within ten working days of receiving the response. This tight timetable is meant to ensure that grievances are addressed swiftly and that the legitimacy of the electoral process is maintained. The Panel’s rulings can range from outright rejection of complaints to acceptance based on evidence, or even ordering corrective measures like recounts or adjustments to the results.
But while the system aims for transparency and fairness, the aftermath of the 2025 elections has been anything but routine for some high-profile figures. In a dramatic development, the Judicial Commission for Elections removed Najm Al-Jubouri, the former governor of Nineveh and a winning candidate, from the newly elected 329-seat Iraqi Parliament. As reported by Shafaq News, Al-Jubouri’s exclusion was attributed to his military service, which fell under Accountability and Justice Procedures, and his failure to meet certain good-conduct requirements. The electoral body was ordered to enforce the ruling, striking him from the list of declared winners.
Al-Jubouri’s case is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing Iraqi democracy. He entered the 2025 race under the Ninawa Li Ahliha (Nineveh for Its People) bloc and garnered more than 39,000 votes—the highest individual count on his list. Initially, his bloc secured three seats, but with his removal, one seat was reallocated to Al Mashrou' Al Arabi Fi al-Iraq (The Arabic Project in Iraq), which now holds two seats. The updated seat distribution in Nineveh reflects the region’s complex political tapestry: the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leads with five seats, followed by Taqaddum and Al-Ima’ar Wal Tanmiya (Reconstruction and Development) with four each, the Al-Azm Alliance with three, and several other parties sharing the remainder.
Al-Jubouri’s political journey has been marked by both setbacks and strategic moves. Notably, the Judicial Commission had previously accepted an appeal by Al-Jubouri, overturning an earlier disqualification related to his past military roles in the banned Baath Party. Yet, this latest decision proved final. In the midst of the controversy, Al-Jubouri made a high-profile switch, joining the Sunni Progress (Taqaddum) Party, led by former parliament speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi. The Taqaddum Party emerged from the election as the strongest Sunni bloc, securing 27 seats nationwide—a fact that underscores the shifting sands of Iraqi politics.
Political sources told Shafaq News that Al-Jubouri’s defection to Taqaddum was motivated by firm assurances from Al-Halbousi that he would be nominated for the Defense Ministry in the next cabinet. This behind-the-scenes maneuvering highlights the complex interplay between personal ambition, party loyalty, and the broader calculus of coalition-building in Iraq’s fragmented political landscape. For Al-Jubouri’s original bloc, the loss of a seat was more than a symbolic blow; it altered the delicate balance of power in Nineveh and rippled through alliances at the national level.
As the appeals process wound down, the Supreme Judicial Council’s statement that the commission did not provide details on the specific rulings in each case left many observers guessing about the fate of other contested results. For parties and candidates, the lack of transparency has been a source of frustration, though the process itself is anchored in legal precedent and statutory timelines. The law’s requirements—that the Board of Commissioners respond promptly and the Panel issue timely rulings—are intended to prevent protracted disputes and ensure that the new parliament can begin its work without undue delay.
The broader context is one of cautious optimism mixed with familiar anxieties. Iraq’s post-2003 political order has been characterized by recurring disputes over electoral outcomes, sectarian rivalries, and the ever-present challenge of integrating former regime officials and military figures into the new system. The Accountability and Justice Procedures, which played a central role in Al-Jubouri’s exclusion, are rooted in efforts to purge the state of individuals associated with the Baath Party and to promote good governance. Yet, critics argue that these measures can be wielded as political tools, selectively enforced to sideline rivals or consolidate power.
For ordinary Iraqis, the steady drumbeat of legal challenges and shifting alliances can feel distant from the everyday struggles of life in a country still grappling with security concerns, economic uncertainty, and the slow pace of reconstruction. Yet, the high voter turnout in November’s election suggests that, for many, the act of casting a ballot remains a meaningful exercise in agency and hope.
Looking ahead, the final ratification of the election results by the Federal Supreme Court will pave the way for the new parliament to convene. The selection of a speaker and deputies will set the stage for the formation of a new government, one that will be tasked with navigating the country through a perilous geopolitical landscape and a host of domestic challenges. Whether the new parliament can deliver on the promise of stability and reform remains to be seen, but for now, Iraq has taken another step—however halting—toward democratic renewal.
