Iraqi Parliament Finance Committee Reviews Electoral Commission Support Ahead of 2027 Provincial Elections

The Iraqi Parliament’s Finance Committee on Monday discussed the financial and technical needs of the Independent High Electoral Commission and ways to support its preparations for upcoming electoral processes, as the commission announced plans to hold provincial council elections in 2027.

In a statement, the Parliament’s Media Department said the Finance Committee, chaired by MP Adi Awad and attended by its members, hosted representatives of the Electoral Commission to review several issues related to its operations, including its financial and technical requirements and allocations under the federal budget law.

During the meeting, the committee chairman stressed the importance of providing the commission with the necessary support to enable it to carry out its responsibilities and prepare adequately for the upcoming elections.

The meeting also addressed the needs raised by the judicial members of the commission and the possibility of reallocating funds within its budget to meet operational requirements. Discussions further covered proposed amendments to the commission’s law and the mechanism for using the unified card in the voting process.

The two sides also examined possible measures to address the anticipated increase in the number of polling stations and voting devices, particularly as new groups of eligible voters reach the voting age.

The Electoral Commission, for its part, said it is preparing to conduct provincial council elections in 2027 and issue electoral cards, while explaining the differences between the unified card and biometric card and how each could be used during the electoral process.