Baghdad: The parliamentary subcommittee from the Committee on Regions and Non-Regionalized Provinces, Planning and Government Program, Endowments, Youth and Sports has introduced new proposals aimed at amending the Provincial Councils Law. These proposals are in preparation for their inclusion in the parliamentary agenda for a second reading. The proposed amendments are designed to reinforce the principles of administrative decentralization, ensuring they align with the constitution and existing laws.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during its regular meeting on Thursday, the committee highlighted the necessity of incorporating provisions that ensure representation for regions based on population density and the specific administrative boundaries of each province. They emphasized the importance of clearly defining the powers of the councils in issuing local legislation, ensuring consistency with the broad concept of administrative decentralization. This approach is intended to avoid contradictions with both the constitution and existing laws.

The committee also reviewed a proposal to add an article to Chapter Three of the law, which pertains to the conditions for candidacy to provincial council membership. This addition aims to align with the criteria set out in the Elections Law and uphold the principle of legislative unity. Discussions further explored the powers of the councils to review membership validity appeals, mechanisms for managing appeal and grievance procedures between the Administrative Court and the governorate councils, as well as the provisions for holding council sessions in accordance with the internal regulations that govern committee work and the administrative and financial structures of local councils.