Peregraf
The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has emphasized the need for election campaigns for the Kurdistan Regional Parliament to be entirely free from hate speech, incitement to violence, or defamation of competing candidates and parties. In a recent statement, the Commission underscored the importance of adhering to the laws governing complaints and appeals, affirming that it will handle such matters with complete impartiality and in accordance with the established regulations.
The Commission also announced that it has completed most of the key steps in its election timeline for the upcoming sixth parliamentary term. With the countdown to the scheduled polling day on October 20, 2024, now underway, IHEC urged all political parties, alliances, and candidates to comply with the rules of electoral conduct as outlined in the Electoral Campaign System No. (2) of 2023 to ensure a successful electoral process.
In closing, IHEC called on all stakeholders, including voters, political parties, observers, and media professionals, to contribute to organizing fair and transparent elections that build public trust in the electoral process. The Commission reiterated its commitment to maintaining impartiality and ensuring electoral justice, pledging to protect voters' rights and votes.
Nearly 2.9 million eligible voters in the Kurdistan Region are poised to engage in the forthcoming elections scheduled for October 20, 2024, which will determine the allocation of 100 seats in the Kurdistan Parliament.
A minimum of 30 seats in the new parliamentary term will be designated for women, while five seats are reserved for minority groups—three for Christians and two for Turkmen.
Initially planned for October 2022, the elections faced delays due to internal conflicts, particularly between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) regarding the distribution of community seats. This discord resulted in the dissolution of the Kurdistan Parliament by the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court, leaving the region without a legislative assembly and consolidating authority within the executive branch.
The elections will take place across four constituencies. The five seats allocated for minority communities will be distributed among three provinces: Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok. The Christian community will receive three seats—one in each of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok—while the Turkmen community will be allotted two seats, one in Erbil and one in Sulaymaniyah.
The distribution of parliamentary seats by province is as follows:
- Erbil: 34 seats (including two for minorities).
- Sulaymaniyah : 38 seats (including two for minorities).
- Duhok: 25 seats (including one for minorities).
- Halabja: 3 seats.
This election represents the fifth postponement, with previous dates set for October 2022, June 2023, and October 2023, all of which were not adhered to. Since the inaugural elections in 1992, no parliamentary election in the Kurdistan Region has occurred within the legally stipulated timeframe.