Iraq's electoral commission issued a stern warning on Monday against the use of hate speech and discriminatory rhetoric in election campaigns, vowing to hold violators accountable as the country prepares for parliamentary elections next month.

The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) stated it is closely monitoring campaigns across social media, satellite channels, and other platforms. It emphasized that any candidate or party inciting sectarian or ethnic tensions will be referred to the judiciary.

"These cases are addressed through two mechanisms: direct field monitoring by specialized committees, and complaints submitted by voters or political parties," IHEC spokesperson Nibras Abu Souda told Iraq’s state-run al-Sabah newspaper.

Souda clarified that the election bylaws “classify hate speech, incitement of violence, or stirring up nationalist and sectarian tensions as serious political violations.” He noted that several candidates have already been excluded from the electoral process for making inflammatory remarks.

The challenge of curbing divisive language was highlighted by human rights officials. Ali al-Bayati, head of the Defenders for Human Rights (DHR) organization, stated that while Iraq has clear legislation and specialized institutions to combat hate speech, a lack of effective enforcement has allowed the problem to grow.

“The absence of effective institutional procedures has marginalized this issue, which has led to the growth of hate acts in the electoral scene,” al-Bayati, a former spokesperson for the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights, told state media.

International organizations are also involved in the process. The United Nations is providing advisory support, offering guidelines to help distinguish between free expression and hate speech.

“We provide guidance and standards to practitioners in the electoral field and the media on how to distinguish between freedom of expression and hate speech,” said Diaa Thabet, coordinator for UNESCO Iraq's communications and information sector. Souda added that international organizations often issue observations and recommendations once the electoral process concludes.