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The Iraqi Constitution enshrines the electoral process in Iraq, stipulating that the Council of Representatives shall be elected by the Iraqi people. The CoR in turn elects the President of the Republic and other senior officials. The Constitution also enshrines the principle of an independent electoral commission subject to monitoring by the CoR.

The permanent Constitution was ratified in October 2005; that year saw three electoral events – elections for a transition government in January, a referendum on the constitution, and the election of a permanent (four year) government. These were managed by the Transitional Independent Election Commission of Iraq (IECI) which was superseded by IHEC in 2007.

In early 2008 the CoR passed the Law of Governorates not organized into a Region, which defined the administrative composition and legislative status of Governorates in preparation for Governorate elections in 2008/2009.

The upcoming elections are seen as an important milestone in the establishment and institutionalization of democracy in Iraq.

Electoral Laws

The Elections Law provides the guidelines for the administration of national elections.  It determines, for example, the eligibility of voters and candidates, establishes the electoral system, and lays out the regulations on campaign finance and electoral campaigns.

The 2008 Election Law sets out the parameters for a vote in 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces. The three Kurdish provinces and Kirkuk will have their elections later. The law also creates a 25 percent quota for women candidates.

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• Iraqi Constitution
• Laws Covering Governorates Not Part of Regions
• 2008 Election Law