Iraq election body says final corruption ruling strips lawmaker of seat

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission said a member of parliament whose corruption case has reached a final court ruling will lose their seat, according to a statement by commission spokeswoman Jumana al-Ghalay. Al-Ghalay said Iraq's election law requires the seat to be filled by the highest-ranking substitute candidate on the same electoral list. She said the candidate who meets the legal conditions will enter parliament to replace the departing lawmaker. The commission will compile the list of substitute candidates and forward it to parliament through an official letter once parliament requests the names, al-Ghalay added, noting the process will follow the law. No further details on the lawmaker or the court ruling were immediately available.