Baghdad: The Cabinet has approved an exemption for the Independent High Electoral Commission from the electronic payment system, a move aimed at ensuring the timely payment of salaries to 300,000 employees throughout Iraq. This decision seeks to prevent delays that could arise from issues such as errors in IBAN numbers or the absence of employee codes.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the exemption was part of a broader agenda addressed during the 46th regular session of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani. The session covered the general situation in the country, reviewed the items on the agenda, and led to several critical decisions.

The exemption also includes relief from the financial implications outlined in Cabinet Resolution No. 24921 of 2024 concerning the calculation of overtime hours for the current month of November. This step is part of the effort to secure the salaries for staff at polling stations.

In addition to the exemption for the Electoral Commission, the Cabinet authorized the General Company for Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Supplies/Samarra to collaborate with a developer to establish a pharmaceutical industrial city. This project will be located on a 258-dunam plot of land, authorized under the Public Companies Law No. 22 of 1997.

The Cabinet also allocated 7 billion dinars from the Ministry of Finance to equip Al-Sayyab General Hospital in Basra with necessary cooling and medical equipment. The Ministry of Health has been granted authority to procure these materials, ensuring the hospital’s readiness.

Furthermore, the Council of Ministers endorsed recommendations for the Basra Governorate to maintain the integrity and efficiency of contractual procedures for the Basra Ring Road project. The Ministry of Oil will supply fuel for the Baghdad-Mosul road debris removal campaign, aligning with the Federal General Budget Law.

The Cabinet also amended Resolution No. 488 of 2025 to facilitate the sale of state-owned property to the Contractors Union without a public auction. This amendment is based on the Law on the Sale and Lease of State Assets No. 21 of 2013.

Lastly, the Cabinet approved modifications to vehicle import regulations to ensure alignment with the Traffic Law No. 8 of 2019 and increased the reserve allocation for the Jibla and Kharab Residential Complex project in Anbar Governorate.