The Iraqi election commission has disqualified Rakan al-Jibori from running as a candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Kirkuk, citing his failure to meet the “good conduct” requirement due to an active case against him. The commission has, in an unprecedented move, declared hundreds of candidates ineligible to run, including several prominent figures.

Context: Rakan al-Jibori, the former acting governor of Kirkuk, was detained in April in Baghdad following an initial hearing at the Rusafa Criminal Court but was later released on bail. His detention stemmed from five corruption cases brought against him, including allegations of embezzling public funds and permitting the distribution of Turkish humanitarian aid in Kirkuk without authorization from Baghdad.

Analysis: Al-Jibori rose to prominence after the October 2017 events, when the Iraqi government recaptured Kirkuk from the Peshmerga, and he was appointed acting governor—a position he held until last year, when PUK candidate Rebwar Taha was elected. Al-Jibori is widely regarded as the most prominent Arab politician in Kirkuk and was leading the list backed by Sunni leader Khamis al-Khanjar. That list is in fierce competition with another backed by Sunni leader Muhammad al-Halbousi, who has fielded strong candidates and was already expected to secure more Arab votes in the province than Khanjar’s bloc. The disqualification of al-Jibori—who as a prominent figure consistently wins some of the highest personal vote counts in Kirkuk—delivers a major blow to Khanjar’s list and could further tilt the balance in favor of Halbousi’s bloc.

Overall, Arabs in Kirkuk are contesting the upcoming elections through four main lists. Halbousi’s Taqaddum list is overseen locally by Mohammed al-Tamimi, Iraq’s Minister of Planning, and Wasfi al-Asi, a sitting MP. Khanjar’s Sovereignty list is led by Rakan al-Jibori and former MP Khalid al-Mafraji. Muthanna al-Samarrai’s Azm coalition is represented by Ahmed Gharaz, while Iraq’s Minister of Defense has also fielded a list, represented by Omar al-Jubori and several other Arab figures.