Iraq’s Justice and Accountability Commission has banned 500 candidates from participating in upcoming parliamentary elections in the country due in March. According to Iraqi channel Al Sumaria, Elections Directorate in Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), Hamdiya Al Husseini has announced this decision. She said that Political entities have the choice to replace banned candidates within three days. The decision was taken after receiving the list from a parliament committee that vets candidates for ties to Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party.<br/><br/>Former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi viewed the decision as sort of intimidation and manipulation to make political gains ahead of elections. Analysts say that verdict may deepen Iraq's sectarian divides.