The list of eligible candidates for the Ibrahim Prize begins with those who were democratically elected and left office constitutionally within the preceding three years. In a typical year, there may be as few as three candidates who meet these qualifications.
莫·易卜拉欣奖的候选名单首先会从那些民选上台并在随后三年内依宪法规定离任的领导人开始。一般来说，在一年里都会有三位领导人符合这一条件。但问题是这些人是否于在位之时体现出了足够优秀的治国能力。在2009，2010，2012和今年，评奖委员的决议是没人能做到这一点。