The session, chaired by al-Mandalawi, saw the attendance of 311 out of 329 lawmakers. The goal was to elect a new speaker to replace Mohammed al-Halbousi, who was dismissed six months ago for legal violations.
According to the parliament’s media office, the session began with a second direct ballot. Salim al-Eisawi led with 158 votes, while former speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani followed with 137 votes. This second round was necessary after the parliament failed to elect a speaker in the first round on January 14.
Iraqi law stipulates that a candidate must secure votes from an absolute majority of the parliamentarians, plus one—which is 166 votes, to win. If no candidate achieves this, a second round of voting by direct secret ballot is conducted.
With no candidate meeting the election criteria in the second round, the parliament moved to a third round of voting. However, a fight broke out among lawmakers shortly after they entered the hall, forcing al-Mandalawi to adjourn the session.