Iraqi Diaspora in U.S. Protests Exclusion from Parliamentary Vote

Iraqi citizens living in the United States have expressed strong opposition to the decision by Iraqi authorities to bar expatriates from participating in the country’s parliamentary elections.

Community leaders described the move as a violation of constitutional rights and a blow to trust between citizens and the state.

Representatives from Iraqi associations in Michigan delivered formal appeals to the Iraqi Consulate, urging a review of the decision. They criticized the official reasoning, which cited financial and logistical challenges, pointing out that other countries with smaller economies plan to allow diaspora voting.

The elections in Iraq are scheduled to fill 329 parliamentary seats, with more than 20 million citizens eligible to vote. Special early voting for military personnel, service workers, and internally displaced citizens concluded just days before the nationwide polling.

Diaspora leaders argue that excluding Iraqis abroad diminishes their political influence and disconnects them from the democratic process. They have called on authorities to ensure that future elections include overseas voters and to provide clear explanations for this year’s exclusion.

As the election proceeds within Iraq under heightened security, the exclusion of the diaspora has sparked debate about citizen rights, representation, and the broader credibility of the electoral process.