In a meeting of what is called in Iraq the "four presidencies" – namely, the president of the republic, the prime minister, the speaker of the house, and the president of the high judiciary council, it was decided that the judicial panel of seven judges be given another five days, through February 12, to sort out the appeals of the more than 500 candidates who were barred from running for elections by the Justice and Accountability Commission (formerly, the de-Ba'thification Commission.)
The Commission has instructed the Election Commission to bar these candidates on the grounds that they were tainted with Ba'thist affiliation or sympathy. The election campaign has been rescheduled for February 12.
The Commission's decision was controversial and viewed by the Iraqi Sunnis as directed primarily against them and against secular Shi'ite candidates, such as former prime minister Ayyad Allawi, who were viewed as threat to the dominance of the Shi'a-oriented religious parties.
As a result of the agreement reached by the "four presidencies," the emergency meeting of parliament scheduled for yesterday was cancelled. Meantime, the Appeals Panel, in what is characterized as a retreat from its previous position, has announced that only 180 cases will be subject to review.
Sources: Al-Rafidayn, February 6 and 7; al-Sabah, Iraq, February 6; alfayhaa.tv, February 7, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, February 7 and February 8, 2010
