Peregraf
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani underscored the importance of bolstering efforts by the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and its staff as the Kurdistan Region Parliament elections draw near. He called for adherence to the highest standards of neutrality and transparency, ensuring electoral justice and safeguarding the integrity of voters' voices to guarantee free and fair elections that reflect the aspirations of the region's citizens.
Al-Sudani's remarks were made during his meeting on Saturday with IHEC Chairman Omar Ahmed Mohammed and members of the commission. They reviewed ongoing preparations for the elections, set for October 20.
The Prime Minister reiterated the Iraqi government's full support for IHEC's work, pledging to provide all necessary resources for the success of the electoral process in Kurdistan region. He emphasized that this democratic exercise is crucial for reinforcing the Kurdistan region’s stability and meeting the hopes of its people.
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.