Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi yesterday ordered an immediate investigation into allegations that fake jobs in the public sector were being offered to citizens by political parties in order to win votes in the country’s upcoming general elections.
The announcement came in a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office. Iraq is due to hold elections on 12 May.
Member of Parliament for the National Iraqi Alliance, Muhammad Al-Sayhud, told the Anadolu Agency that some candidates resort to making false promises to citizens in order to win votes.
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“The Iraqi Parliament has approved the country’s budget for the current year, which has no new public posts, so the Iraqi people should know that any candidate who promises them future employment is a liar.”
He called on all government institutions to “follow up and hold accountable candidates who make false promises for electoral gain.”
According to Transparency International Iraq is among the world’s most corrupt countries.