[4][5] The Iraqi government later decided on 19 March to delay the elections in the governorates of Anbar and Nineveh due to ongoing instability caused by the insurgency and the ongoing protests,[6][7] prompting criticism from Muqtada al-Sadr[8] and John Kerry.

If not changed, the unconstitutional nature of the law however would make the 2013 election results vulnerable to a legal challenge.

[12] As a result, although this does not currently effect the work of the Independent High Electoral Commission, IHEC has been calling on the Iraqi government to pass changes to the law.

[13] Parties and candidates wishing to stand for election had to register by the deadline of 25 November 2012.

[4] As a result of the large number of applications submitted for the registration of political coalitions for the election, IHEC decided to extend the deadline for submissions from the 13th to the 18th of December.