IHEC begins excluding candidates with Ba’athist pasts

The latest wave of candidate disqualifications in the upcoming parliamentary elections has placed the Accountability and Justice Commission (AJC) back at the center of political debate. Formerly known as the De-Ba’athification Commission, the AJC has so far barred around 150 candidates from the provinces of Baghdad, Diyala, Ninewa, and Dhi Qar, with more exclusions expected as it reviews lists from other provinces. Iraq Horizons analysis shows that while many of those affected belong to leading Sunni parties, a substantial number come from the major Shia parties as well.