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The New York Times reported the Iraqi appeals court ruling involved an effort to disqualify more than 500 candidates from the national election in March for their suspected ties to deposed and executed former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's Baath Party.

Efforts to ban those candidates, which included both Sunni and Shiite politicians, were sharply criticized by U.S. and U.N. officials. Those officials claimed the move could impact the election's credibility.

The ban efforts also resulted in threats of a possible election boycott by Iraqiya, a major coalition led by former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi.

The appeals court's reasoning for overturning the ban was not clear, the Times said.

The U.S. newspaper said Wednesday's ruling followed unsuccessful diplomatic talks and negotiations regarding the ban from a parliamentary commission.

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