Iraq’s Accountability and Justice Commission continues to raise concerns of dozens of candidates for the upcoming May elections having a record which may impede their candidacy and keep them from running.
The commission is tasked with investigating any candidate's personal background and probing into whether they had any illicit affiliations or any connections to the dissolved Baath Party.
If candidates held a position in a security or intelligence body before 2003, they would also be disqualified.
“The Commission summoned 620 candidates to clarify and confirm some restrictions and information concerning their personal record, including former Defense Minister Khaled al-Obaidi,” Accountability and Justice Commission member Faris Bakoo said.
In an interview with Asharq al-Awsat, Bakoo said he sought to calm down rising fear on summoning candidates.
“It does not necessarily mean removing the candidate from the race—but is a regular process that has happened before,” he said.
On the number of candidates taken in, Bakoo said that it “varied.”
He said that sometimes, candidates are summoned for having common names with a former Baath Party member. Once it is clear as to whether the candidate is linked to the former repressive party, it then is left to the commission to decide on their qualification for partaking in the May vote.
Bakoo said former Defense Minister Khaled al-Obaidi is among those summoned-- he must provide some information to clarify operational updates.
The Commission member also defended the body against allegations of corruption. Certain parties have accused the body of receiving bribes to clear out Baath Party-tied candidate.
“These are just allegations without evidence,” he said.
He also urged any party with solid evidence to go forth and present a formal complaint.
For the upcoming May elections, about 7,200 candidates are slated to fill 328 seats in the House of Representatives and have to overcome accountability and justice procedures.
All candidates must prove a clear record of involvement in corruption-related court cases.
