Peregraf
The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has reported that voter turnout for the Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections reached 72%.
According to IHEC, Duhok recorded the highest turnout at 78%, while Sulaimani had the lowest at 65%. Erbil saw 74% voter participation, and Halabja recorded 69%.
These figures reflect a significant increase compared to the 2021 parliamentary elections, during which approximately 70% of voters boycotted the process.
The elections have now concluded, with preliminary results available to political parties that closely observed the vote-counting process. All parties have expressed general satisfaction, and no substantial allegations of fraud have surfaced, marking a major success for IHEC.
Early results indicate little change in the Kurdistan Region’s political landscape. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) continues to lead with a substantial margin over the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which holds second place. The New Generation Movement follows in third place.
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani called the election process a “victory,” highlighting it as a demonstration of the region’s democratic strength.
“I extend my gratitude to the Iraqi Independent High Election Commission for their role in overseeing the election process. I congratulate them on their efforts. Although we are concerned about the absence of many citizens due to technical issues, we must work to address these problems in future elections to ensure every citizen’s right to vote is fully protected,” said Prime Minister Barzani.
A notable issue during the election was a technical malfunction with fingerprint scanners, which prevented hundreds of voters across the region from casting their ballots. This has been identified as an area requiring improvement in future elections.