Federal Court’s Ratification of Electoral Results Stirs Controversy

Following the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court’s ratification of the parliamentary elections’ results of October, some rival parties contested the results. Media figures and activists stressed out that the court decision to thwart calls for annulling the results was expected. adding that losing parties should accept the results. Moreover, activists indicated that rival parties should reach a consensus to pave the way for a new parliament to hold its inaugural session within two weeks, under Iraqi law. It is expected that Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, the eldest member, to chair the first session of the new Parliament by the law.