Baghdad: Legal expert and advisor Salem Hawas stated that the judicial body’s resolving all submitted appeals is the penultimate stage in the constitutional process. He explained that the next step is the Federal Supreme Court’s ratification of the final results, in accordance with its law and exclusive jurisdiction.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Hawas emphasized that federal ratification is the “pivotal moment” that grants the results legal force and transforms the winners into legislators with parliamentary status.

Hawas clarified that Article (54) of the Constitution stipulates that the President of the Republic calls upon the Council of Representatives to convene within 15 days of the Federal Supreme Court’s ratification of the results. He explained that the first session is chaired by the oldest member and witnesses the election of the Speaker of the Council of Representatives and his two deputies during the same session, which is a mandatory procedure that cannot be postponed according to the current constitutional interpretation.

He pointed out that the next constitutional step after the election of the parliamentary presidency is opening nominations for the position of President of the Republic, who is elected by a two-thirds majority, according to Article (70).

He added: “The elected president tasks the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc with forming the government within 15 days. This nominee then has 30 days to present the cabinet to parliament for a vote of confidence, thus completing the constitutional process for subsequent stages.”