Controversial new law could make Iraq's early elections late
Iraq's parliament passed a new elections law in December in response to massive protests, but the law hasn't been sent to the president for his approval.
The Iraqi parliament, under public pressure from months of widespread protests, has passed a new electoral law that still leaves protesters and parties representing Kurds and Sunni Arab areas far from satisfied. The law has yet to reach the president's desk to be ratified.
However, it's not just the new law, approved Dec. 24 by the Iraqi federal parliament, that has ignited disputes between political parties, but also a controversial addendum relating to the organization of electoral districts.
The redistricting proposals and the provision allowing for voters to select individuals rather than slates of candidates were considered victories for Iraq’s vast protest movement, in which more than 600 people have been killed and upward of 23,000 injured in the pursuit of political change. Yet the protesters still have some issues with it, including how district winners would divvy up votes.
However, it appears that the country’s major political parties, which initially opposed some of the bill's proposals while it was being considered, have shifted in stance after drafting the additional clause.
