Muqtada al-Sadr Reiterates Election Boycott and Responds to Iraqi President’s Letter
On Friday, Iraqi National Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr renewed his refusal to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for November, in response to a letter from Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, who had urged him to reconsider.
Muqtada al-Sadr’s Response to the Iraqi President
In a message sent to the president, al-Sadr clarified that when he called for an election boycott, it was not to delay or cancel the vote. He emphasized that it is deeply saddening for a great people like the Iraqis to end up electing “corrupt, shameless, and money-stealing individuals,” as he put it.
He affirmed that despite his decision not to participate, he would remain one of the foremost defenders of the country against various challenges, aiming to live free from what he described as corruption, dependency, and abhorrent sectarianism.
Al-Sadr’s Election Boycott
Back in late March, Muqtada al-Sadr announced his withdrawal from the upcoming parliamentary elections, citing the presence of widespread “corruption and corrupt individuals” as the main reason behind his decision.
President Rashid’s Letter to al-Sadr
On Wednesday, the Iraqi President sent a letter to al-Sadr, calling on him to reverse his decision and participate in the elections.
According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Rashid stated that any political process lacking participation from the “National Movement” remains incomplete.
In his message, the president emphasized that the return of al-Sadr’s movement to the political arena has become essential to ensure reform and correct the course of legislation and public services.
He added: “No one can deny the setbacks that have affected the path of development and progress,” attributing them to “a lack of experience, widespread corruption, and the appointment of unqualified individuals to key leadership positions.”
Political Vacuum Following the National Movement’s Withdrawal
President Rashid noted that the withdrawal of “National Movement” MPs from parliament following the 2021 elections created a political vacuum. He stressed that true parliamentary balance cannot be achieved without the inclusion of all political currents and viewpoints.
