UN supports Iraqi elections amid controversy over Defense Minister's Candidacy

The United Nations announced its full support for the electoral process in Iraq. Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance in Iraq, stated that his presence at a polling station aimed to "emphasize the importance of the role the United Nations plays in ensuring the integrity and transparency of the electoral process, which we have witnessed firsthand."

Cordone added that the United Nations would continue to support the electoral process until the UNAMI mission completes its mandate by the end of this year, wishing Iraq and its people “every success in this democratic endeavor.”

In parallel with these statements, an official document dated November 8, 2025, revealed that MP Ahmed al-Jubouri had submitted a request to the Independent High Electoral Commission calling for the disqualification of Defense Minister and current candidate Thabit al-Abbasi, head of the National Decisiveness Alliance, from the electoral race.

The document, addressed to Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, stated that al-Abbasi, through an associate, had contacted several candidates from rival parties and offered them money to withdraw from the race, a move al-Jubouri considered “a clear violation of Election Law No. 4 of 2023 and the rules of electoral conduct.”

Al-Jubouri demanded in his request that “legal measures be taken against anyone found to have committed violations that affect public order and the integrity of the electoral process,” stressing that these actions constitute “a serious attack on the principle of equal opportunity and aim to directly undermine the integrity of the elections.”

The document also shows that the recorded phone call took place on the first day of the electoral silence period, raising concerns about a violation of laws regulating campaigning and influencing voters.

These developments come as the United Nations mission closely monitors the electoral process across all Iraqi governorates, amid calls to ensure transparency and accountability for any potential violations to guarantee the integrity of the results of the ongoing parliamentary elections.

ANHA